When the USS Abraham Lincoln pulled into port in Thailand this week, photos of the American aircraft carrier’s rust-streaked hull quickly went viral, with some social media users questioning whether the US Navy was neglecting its fleet.
The ship, one of the largest and most advanced vessels in the US arsenal, has spent roughly nine months continuously at sea. During that time, it played a support role in the joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, part of the broader conflict that has drawn American forces into the region.
To get to the bottom of the rusty appearance, the BBC’s fact-checking team, BBC Verify, consulted naval and military experts. Their conclusion: while a nine-month deployment without a return to home port is unusually long, the streaks of corrosion on the hull are a normal, expected result of extended time at sea rather than a sign of poor upkeep. Saltwater exposure and constant use naturally wear down a ship’s exterior paint and metal, regardless of how well the vessel is maintained internally.
Reporter Jake Horton walked through the evidence with military specialists to explain why the carrier’s appearance, though striking in photos, doesn’t reflect the operational readiness of the ship or its crew.
Curious about what the experts found and how carriers like the Lincoln endure such long deployments? You can watch the full BBC report for all the details.
Source: Why did USS Lincoln turn up in Thailand looking so rusty? (feeds.bbci.co.uk). English version produced with AI assistance.
Image: U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Rusty Black..