US warships arrive in Phuket for 6-day visit

PHUKET - Two US Navy warships carrying more than 5,100 personnel anchored off Phuket on Sunday for a six-day port visit, with thousands of sailors heading ashore for rest and recreation leave. 

The nuclear aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119) are scheduled to leave on Friday.

Officials said the carrier had anchored about 1.78 nautical miles, roughly 3.3 kilometres, from Phuket Deep Sea Port in tambon Wichit of Muang Phuket district. The two vessels have a combined complement of 5,109 personnel, 4,820 aboard the carrier and 289 on the destroyer.

Fourteen local ferry boats will be kept busy shuttling personnel between the ships and the shore throughout the visit.

Among those welcoming the ships were Luu Pham, assistant force protection attaché at the US embassy in Thailand, Pol Col Somsak Thongkliang, chief of Wichit police station, and Adul Raluekmoon, director of the Phuket Regional Marine Office.

Police and local agencies have prepared security, traffic-management and support measures for the large influx of visiting sailors, who are expected to spend their time on the island sightseeing and enjoying local attractions.

Phuket authorities last week finalised security and logistical arrangements with US embassy officials ahead of the visit, while reminding visiting sailors to comply with Thai law during their stay.

The USS George H.W. Bush has completed deployment in the Arabian Sea, participating in conflict with Iran, since leaving Norfolk, Virginia, in March.

The nuclear carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its escort visited Pattaya last month after a similar deployment. Local officials estimated the five-day stop pumped about 100 million baht into the local economy.