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NewsWSVN 7 News MiamiAugust 19, 2026Miami-Dade

US Navy destroyer USS Benfold loses power for four days in Pacific

The USS Benfold experienced a major generator failure on July 24 that left 300 sailors without power, water, food, or working toilets for four days. The ship required assistance from the George Washington carrier strike group and was eventually towed to Subic Bay, Philippines, for repairs.

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Why It Matters

The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding naval vessel maintenance and crew quality-of-life standards during extended deployments.

Key Facts

  • The USS Benfold suffered a generator failure on July 24, resulting in a total loss of power.
  • Approximately 300 sailors were left without drinking water, meals, functioning toilets, or air conditioning for four days.
  • The USS Robert Smalls provided food to the crew during the outage.
  • The USS Benfold was towed to Subic Bay, Philippines, arriving on July 28.
  • The ship returned to service on Aug. 8 with all systems functioning.
  • The USS Abraham Lincoln has spent 250 consecutive days at sea, leading to reports of supply shortages and crew stress.
  • The USS George Washington is moving to the Middle East to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln.
  • There were no injuries reported among the crew of the USS Benfold.

Who's Mentioned

organizationGeorge Washington carrier strike group“Provided assistance to the Benfold”personMatthew Comer“Navy spokesman”otherUSS Benfold“Destroyer that experienced power loss”personHung Cao“Acting Navy Secretary”otherUSS Robert Smalls“Cruiser that provided meals to the Benfold”otherUSS Abraham Lincoln“Aircraft carrier facing supply and crew stress reports”locationSubic Bay“Port where the Benfold was repaired”