After nearly 300 days at sea, the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier was en route to the United States on Monday following a five-day port visit in Thailand.

Sept. 7 (UPI) -- After nearly 300 days at sea, the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier was en route to the United States on Monday following a five-day port visit in Thailand.

The vessel at the center of controversy over its long deployment departed Thailand on Sunday, U.S. Navy Capt. Dan Keeler, Abraham Lincoln's commanding officer, said in a statement.

"This port visit to Pattaya was a tremendous opportunity for this crew to recharge and a highlight for the strike group."

Nearly 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard the Nimitz-class carrier arrived in the Thai beach town of Pattaya to begin their first significant shore leave in nine months.

The stop was its first in more than 260 days at sea supporting U.S. missions first in Venezuela and then in the Middle East. It had departed San Diego in November and is expected to dock there when it returns to the United States.

Its Thai shore leave came after mounting pressure on the Trump administration following reporting of subpar conditions on board the vessel leading to suicide attempts. President Donald Trump lashed out against such reports, calling them "fake news," and when questioned about the long deployment responded that it was "not nearly long enough."

In response to reporting on the vessel, the Defense Department late last month fired three journalists at the Pentagon-owned Stars and Stripes.

Senate Democrats have demanded answers from the Trump administration about conditions on the ship and other issues surrounding long deployments.

Following public outcry and political response, the USS George Washington was deployed to relieve the Lincoln, allowing it to head back to the United States.

"We are grateful to our Thai allies for hosting us, and we look forward to continuing our mission here in 7th Fleet, alongside Thailand and our other regional partner," Keeler said.