US 7th Fleet discloses 4-day total power failure of USS Benfold in South China Sea
The U.S. Navy confirmed on August 18, 2026, that the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold suffered a complete loss of power for four days while deployed in the South China Sea. The blackout, caused by a generator failure on July 24 but only reported now, left the crew without drinkable water, air conditioning, or functional toilets. The vessel was eventually towed to Subic Bay, Philippines. Officials cited the strain of extended deployments under the current administration's global campaigns as a contributing factor.
Date: August 18, 2026
Location: Subic Bay, Philippines
Conflict: China-Taiwan Conflict
Category: naval
Severity: MEDIUM
Source: Washington Post