An American military ship drifted in the South China Sea for four days after a prolonged power outage, raising new questions about the strain on the American fleet.
At the end of July, the destroyer USS Benfold lost power. In temperatures above 30 degrees during the summer heat, the ship’s air‑conditioners and toilets stopped working, and cooking became impossible. The outage lasted four days, after which the destroyer was towed to a port in the Philippines for repairs. While at sea, the crew received food and supplies from one of the fleet’s cruisers.
Incident confirmed by the US Fleet
The American fleet confirmed the incident to CNN. According to spokesman Matthew Comer, the power loss was caused by a technical malfunction, and the exact cause is still under investigation. “No crew member was harmed; they demonstrated endurance, perseverance, professionalism and steadfastness in resolving the situation,” Comer said.
The prolonged outage again draws attention to the growing strain on the American fleet. Last week, reports emerged of several crew members attempting to jump overboard from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. The carrier, deployed to the Middle East for the Iran War, had been at sea for more than 250 days, prompting concern among families about the unusually long deployment.
Concerns about the mental health of the crews
Both President Donald Trump and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth denied the reports, emphasizing that “every ship, every crew, every captain has everything they need.” Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen, however, said the mental‑health rumors are worrisome. He suggested the truth about the fleet’s condition is “likely somewhere in the middle,” adding, “I know that the commander, especially the commander of the Lincoln, is actively addressing these issues.”
The USS Abraham Lincoln is now heading to relieve the USS George Washington, a rotation that was planned in advance. The destroyer USS Benfold belongs to the battle group centered on USS George Washington, but after the power loss in the South China Sea it remains uncertain whether the ship can depart for the Middle East. According to Marine Traffic, it is currently in the port of Yokosuka, Japan.
Source: Dagens Nyheter
