US Navy destroyer with 300 sailors aboard broke down for four days in the Pacific

The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Benfold experienced a significant breakdown in the Pacific Ocean last month, leaving it without power for four days, according to a Navy statement. The incident occurred on July 24 when the ship reported an engineering casualty involving its generators, resulting in a loss of power. Crew members were without drinking water, meals, functioning toilets, and air conditioning during this period.

Navy spokesman Cmdr. Matthew Comer confirmed that there were no injuries among the crew, who demonstrated resilience and professionalism in their response. The Benfold was provided assistance by the USS Robert Smalls, which delivered meals to the stricken destroyer. The ship was subsequently towed to Subic Bay, in the Philippines, for repairs and arrived there on July 28.

After repairs were completed, the crew was provided with food and lodging off the ship. The Benfold then departed on August 8 with all engineering, combat systems, and crew support systems functioning normally. Meanwhile, ships from the George Washington strike group, including the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, were seen heading towards the Middle East, with the carrier expected to replace the Lincoln, which the acting Navy Secretary, Hung Cao, said would return home soon.

This would leave the Pacific Ocean without a U.S. carrier presence for an unspecified period. The Trump administration views China as a dominant power in the region and aims to deter it from exerting control over the U.S. or its allies rather than perceiving China as the main global adversary under the Biden administration.