The troubles of the US Navy are not limited to the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. Last week, USNI News reported that the USS Benfold, a guided missile destroyer attached to the USS George Washington carrier battle group, lost power and was adrift in the South China Sea for four days. “On July 24, 2026, while conducting routine operations in the Indo-Pacific, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold reported an engineering casualty involving its generators, causing a loss of power,” the U.S. 7th Fleet said in a statement. “There were no injuries to the crew, who demonstrated resilience, grit, professionalism and unwavering steadiness in their response.”
The loss of power meant sailors were without galley services, toilets and air conditioning. Potable water was also affected, 7th Fleet spokesman Navy Cmdr. Matthew Comer told USNI News. The George Washington Carrier Strike Group supported the destroyer, according to 7th Fleet. USS Robert Smalls, the cruiser attached to the George Washington Carrier Strike Group, helped provide meals for the crew, Comer said.
The Benfold was towed to Subic Bay in the Philippines where Navy maintenance personnel from Japan took charged of repairs. Power was restored on July 30, Comer said, and repairs were completed by Aug. 7. The destroyer left Subic Bay on Aug. 8. USNI News later cited ship spotters reporting that the Benfold had left Yokosuka, Japan on Monday but that it was not known if it was going to rejoin the Washington group or not.
