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USS Benfold, Navy destroyer, went days without power in the South China Sea
CBS News • • world
Key Points:
- The USS Benfold, a guided-missile destroyer, experienced a four-day power outage last month due to an engineering problem, affecting plumbing, meals, toilets, and air conditioning, but no crew injuries were reported.
- The ship was in the South China Sea during the outage and was protected by nearby air and surface assets, including support from the George Washington Carrier Strike Group and meals from the USS Robert Smalls.
- The Benfold was towed to Subic Bay, Philippines, for repairs, with power restored by July 30 and all repairs completed by August 7 before the ship resumed normal operations.
- The incident was not publicly disclosed for nearly a month and was initially reported by USNI News.
- This event comes amid concerns about crew conditions on other deployed Navy vessels, such as the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is nearing relief by the USS George Washington in the Middle East.
