US Aircraft Carrier USS George H.W. Bush to Visit Phuket in October

Two US Navy warships are scheduled to visit Phuket in early October, with the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) and destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119) expected to arrive at the deep-sea port at Cape Panwa on October 5.

The visit is scheduled to continue through October 10.

Patong Police confirmed the planned port call in a September 29 update following a meeting at the police station with representatives of the US Embassy in Thailand, including Lou Pham and Robert Robinson.

According to police, the US side informed Thai authorities about the ships' schedule, while Thai police reminded the visiting personnel of the need to comply with local laws and maintain public order. The two sides also agreed to coordinate directly throughout the visit.

More than 5,000 US Navy personnel are expected to be aboard the two vessels. Patong Police said around 4,800 crew members are serving aboard the USS George H.W. Bush, while approximately 320 personnel are aboard the USS Delbert D. Black.

USS George H.W. Bush

The USS George H.W. Bush is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the flagship of the carrier strike group bearing its name.

The approximately 333-metre-long vessel has a displacement of around 97,000 tonnes and can operate more than 60 aircraft and helicopters.

Commissioned in 2009, the USS George H.W. Bush is the 10th and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. It was named after the 41st US president, George H.W. Bush, who served as a naval aviator during the Second World War.

The carrier strike group left Norfolk in late March 2026 for a scheduled deployment.

USS Delbert D. Black

The USS Delbert D. Black is an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer of the Flight IIA configuration. It entered service with the US Navy in 2020.

The vessel is approximately 155 metres long, has a full-load displacement of nearly 9,500 tonnes and can reach speeds of more than 30 knots.

The destroyer is equipped with the Aegis combat system and vertical launch systems capable of deploying several types of missiles, including Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The ship is named after Delbert D. Black, the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the US Navy. During the Second World War, Black served in the Pacific and was stationed at Pearl Harbor when Japan attacked the US naval base in December 1941.