The San Diego-based littoral combat ship USS Cincinnati arrived in Cambodia on Saturday for a rare visit to that country by the U.S. Navy.
The ship’s visit “celebrates the continued partnership between the United States and Cambodia, reaffirming our shared commitment to regional security, peace and prosperity,” the Navy said in a statement. “While in port, the crew will conduct ship tours, hold subject matter expert exchanges, and meet with key leaders to further enhance maritime partnership between the two nations.”
No so long ago, American warships didn’t visit Cambodia due to long-term political tensions between the two countries. Things began to change in December 2024 when San Diego’s USS Savannah became the first American warship to stop in Cambodia in eight years. Cincinnati becomes the second to do so.
A third San Diego warship, the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, also made news over the weekend. The flattop and its escort ships continue to sail toward the Middle East at the direction of the Trump administration, the Associated Press reported. President Donald Trump has said he wants the ships there “just in case” he decides to take action against Iran.
The Lincoln’s escorts include the USS Spruance, a San Diego-based guided missile destroyer.