Overview
- The destroyer USS Benfold suffered a generator failure on July 24 that left about 300 sailors for days without potable water, working galleys, functioning toilets or air conditioning, the Navy confirmed.
- Benfold was assisted by the George Washington strike group, received meals from the cruiser USS Robert Smalls, was towed to Subic Bay where it arrived on July 28 for repairs, and departed that port on August 8 with systems restored.
- The Navy has opened a formal investigation into the Benfold’s engineering failure while officials say there were no injuries and the crew received off-ship food and lodging during repairs.
- The Pentagon has ordered the nuclear carrier USS George Washington to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has spent more than 250 consecutive days at sea and faces reporting of supply shortages and crew mental-health strain while officials dispute some allegations.
- Lawmakers and defense reporters are pressing for answers about maintenance cycles, logistics and troop welfare, a scrutiny that could affect U.S. forward presence and how the Navy plans port visits, resupply and crew rotations going forward.