South China Sea breakdown left Navy destroyer powerless for several days
The USS Benfold sails in the South China Sea, July 23, 2026, a day before a generator problem left the guided-missile destroyer drfting without power, the Navy said. (Andrew Novak/U.S. Navy)
A guided-missile destroyer that’s part of the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group was adrift four days without power in the South China Sea following an equipment failure last month, according to 7th Fleet.
The USS Benfold on July 24 suffered an “engineering casualty” involving its generators, which caused a power loss, according to an email Monday from fleet spokesman Cmdr. Matthew Comer.
“There were no injuries to the crew, who demonstrated resilience, grit, professionalism and unwavering steadiness in their response,” he said.
The power outage affected the ship’s potable water, air conditioning, toilets and galley services, according to the email. Comer did not detail the impact on the ship’s water supply.
“We commend the crew on their actions and resilience,” he said.
The strike group came to the Benfold’s aid, and crew meals were supplied by the cruiser USS Robert Smalls, according to 7th Fleet.
Contracted tugboats towed the Benfold to Subic Bay, Philippines, where personnel from Ship Repair Facility – Japan Regional Maintenance Center, headquartered at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, met the ship on July 28.
“The crew was provided food and contracted lodging off the ship beginning, July 29. The ship’s power was restored, July 30, and all required repairs were completed prior to Benfold berth shifting for fuel, Aug. 7,” Comer wrote.
The ship departed Subic Bay on Aug. 8 and is now in port at Yokosuka, according to a report Sunday by USNI News.
The strike group meanwhile started Thursday for the Middle East, where it will relieve the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, the Navy announced last week.
The George Washington was on a regularly scheduled deployment when media reports surfaced of sailors aboard the Abraham Lincoln struggling with the strain of a lengthy deployment, including reported attempts by some crew members to jump overboard.
The Abraham Lincoln, deployed since November, was sent to the Middle East in January, in time to take part in air operations the following month against Iran in Operation Epic Fury.
Families of sailors on board the carrier have complained of worsening conditions during the lengthy deployment – poor food, inadequate air conditioning and other quality of life issues.
Stars and Stripes reporter Alex Wilson contributed to this report.