A guided-missile destroyer, the USS Benfold, experienced a significant loss of power for four days last month following an engineering malfunction while operating in the South China Sea. According to a spokesperson for the Navy's 7th Fleet, Commander Matthew Comer, there were no injuries reported among the crew during the incident.
The power failure disrupted essential shipboard functions, including plumbing, air conditioning, toilet facilities, and meal preparation. The vessel, which was operating in the South China Sea—a region noted by officials as not being friendly waters—remained under the protection of nearby surface and air assets throughout the outage. Officials emphasized that the Navy would not leave a vessel vulnerable to attack, describing it as avoiding a "sitting duck" scenario.
During the period of reduced functionality, the USS Benfold received direct support from the George Washington Carrier Strike Group, while the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls provided meals for the crew. Contracted tugboats eventually towed the destroyer into Subic Bay, Philippines, for necessary repairs. Upon arrival on July 28, the ship was met by specialists from the Ship Repair Facility – Japan Regional Maintenance Center. The following day, the crew began receiving food and lodging on shore.
Power was restored to the ship on July 30, and all required repairs were officially completed by August 7. The USS Benfold departed Subic Bay on August 8 with its engineering, combat, and crew support systems fully operational, allowing the ship to return to its routine duties within the U.S. 7th Fleet. The incident, which was initially reported by USNI News, was not publicly disclosed for nearly a month. The issue remains under investigation.
The revelation of the Benfold's mechanical difficulties emerges as the Navy faces ongoing scrutiny regarding conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, currently deployed in the Middle East. Concerns have been raised by family members regarding the welfare of that crew, with some citing the impact of a nine-month deployment and a demanding operational pace on mental health. Republican Representative Don Bacon has called for congressional oversight and testimony from senior Navy officials regarding these matters. Meanwhile, a U.S. official confirmed that the USS George Washington is en route to the Middle East to relieve the Lincoln.
