The US aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush arrived off Thailand’s resort island of Phuket on Sunday with about 4,800 personnel aboard, Reuters reported. The visit runs from October 4 to 9 and gives the crew a rest break after months of duty in the Middle East.

The Nimitz-class carrier had been operating in the Arabian Sea during the conflict with Iran, according to multiple media reports. It is joined by the guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black, carrying around 289 personnel, bringing the total visiting force to about 5,109.

Local reports say the carrier anchored about 3.3 kilometres off Phuket Deep Sea Port. Fourteen transport vessels will ferry sailors ashore for sightseeing. Thai police, military and marine officials have tightened security around the port, with sniffer dogs and command posts in place.

The visit follows a five-day port call by the carrier Abraham Lincoln at Laem Chabang last month, which brought about 5,000 sailors. Thailand is the United States’ only treaty partner in mainland Southeast Asia. Local officials hope the sailors’ spending will boost the island’s tourism economy.