The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold suffered a generator failure on July 24 while operating in the South China Sea, according to reports from CNN and other media outlets. The incident caused a loss of power that left crew members without access to drinking water, cooking facilities, flush toilets, or air conditioning for four days. Temperatures in the area exceeded 32 degrees Celsius during the four-day period when power was lost, making conditions particularly difficult for those aboard the ship.
A civilian contractor’s tugboat towed the vessel to the Philippines, where it arrived on July 28, according to biz.heraldcorp.com. The ship restored its own power, and repairs were completed by August 7.
This was the second time this year that a US destroyer lost propulsion. In May, another destroyer, the USS Higgins, also experienced an electrical system failure that caused a loss of power.
The USS Benfold is part of the George Washington carrier strike group, which is en route to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East. The USS Abraham Lincoln departed San Diego on November 21 last year and was originally scheduled to return in May. However, its deployment has extended beyond 260 days due to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Iranian attacks disrupted supply lines through Bahrain, forcing the Lincoln to ration food. CNN reported that after journalists left the ship, one crew member jumped overboard and was rescued by helicopter.
Commander of the 7th Fleet, Cmdr. S., said that no injuries were reported during the incident involving the USS Benfold, according to a report from The Hill. He added that the crew showed resilience and professionalism in responding to the situation.
The USS Benfold was supported by the George Washington carrier strike group during the incident. Meals were provided to the crew by the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls.
The ship’s power was fully restored on July 30, and all required repairs were completed before it moved for fuel on August 7. The destroyer departed Subic Bay on August 8 after completing its maintenance work.
A spokesperson for the 7th Fleet commended the crew for their actions and resilience during the event. The 7th Fleet did not respond when asked why conditions aboard the Benfold were not made public sooner.
The loss of power on the USS Benfold comes as attention has been drawn to the difficult conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. Families of sailors onboard have raised concerns about worsening mental health due to the extended deployment beyond 260 days.
Adm. Cooper said he had spoken with junior enlisted personnel and officers in small groups to address issues related to food, hot water, and other concerns that had been raised months earlier. He noted that the crew was tired but continued to perform at a high level during the deployment.
Cooper said this deployment would be remembered as one of the most operationally intense and consequential in recent history.
The USS Benfold reported an engineering casualty involving its generators that led to a loss of power, according to a statement from Cmdr. S. of the 7th Fleet. The guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls helped provide meals for the crew during the incident, Yahoo News reported. No injuries were reported in connection with the event.
The Navy has not publicly detailed whether the casualty affected other systems like propulsion, navigation, communications, sensors, weapons, or emergency power. The US Navy routinely operates with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific as China makes territorial claims across the region.
The Pentagon is also increasing missile purchases to prepare for potential conflict with China amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. This shift highlights the operational demands placed on the Navy as it manages responsibilities in both the Middle East and Indo-Pacific regions.
The 7th Fleet did not immediately respond to questions about whether the Benfold incident has led to maintenance checks or actions across the destroyer fleet.
IMAGE: Port bow view of the USS Benfold (DDG 65) underway in the South Pacific Ocean.. Photo: PH1 Anthony C. Casullo, USN / Wikimedia, Public domain