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USS Benfold Experiences Four-Day Power Outage in South China Sea

USS Benfold Experiences Four-Day Power Outage in South China Sea

The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold experienced a four-day power outage last month while deployed in the South China Sea due to an engineering problem. Commander Matthew Comer, a spokesperson for the Navy's 7th Fleet, confirmed the incident, stating there were no injuries to the crew. The loss of power severely impacted essential services on board, including plumbing, meals, toilets, and air conditioning. The issue has since been resolved and is currently under investigation. The incident was not publicly disclosed for nearly a month. During the outage, the USS Benfold received direct support from the George Washington Carrier Strike Group and meals from the USS Robert Smalls. The vessel was eventually towed to Subic Bay, Philippines, for repairs, which were completed by August 7, allowing the ship to resume routine operations.

U.S. Navy Destroyer USS Benfold Suffers Four-Day Power Outage in South China Sea

U.S. Navy Destroyer USS Benfold Suffers Four-Day Power Outage in South China Sea

The U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold experienced a four-day power outage last month while operating in the South China Sea. The incident, which occurred on July 24, was caused by an engineering failure affecting the ship's generators, according to Navy Cmdr. Matthew Comer, spokesperson for the 7th Fleet. During the outage, the USS Benfold lost critical services including functional toilets, galley services, air conditioning, and potable water, in addition to its ability to maneuver independently. The ship, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, was on routine operations in the Indo-Pacific when the failure occurred. The U.S. Navy stated that there were no injuries to the crew, who demonstrated resilience during the event. The cause of the power outage is currently under investigation. This incident marks the second power loss for a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Pacific Command's area of responsibility this year, following a similar event involving the USS Higgins in May.

U.S. Navy Destroyer USS Benfold Experiences Four-Day Power Loss in South China Sea

U.S. Navy Destroyer USS Benfold Experiences Four-Day Power Loss in South China Sea

A U.S. guided-missile destroyer, the USS Benfold, suffered a four-day power loss last month while operating in the South China Sea. The incident, caused by an engineering casualty involving its generators, necessitated towing the warship to Subic Bay in the Philippines for repairs. Power was restored two days after its arrival in Subic Bay. During the outage, essential services such as galley operations, toilets, air conditioning, and potable water were disrupted. The guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls provided meals to the crew, and the strike group supported the destroyer throughout the casualty. No injuries to the crew were reported. The Navy is currently investigating the cause of the failure and has not publicly detailed the impact on the Benfold's propulsion, navigation, communications, sensors, weapons systems, or emergency power.

US Navy destroyer with 300 sailors aboard broke down for four days in the Pacific

US Navy destroyer with 300 sailors aboard broke down for four days in the Pacific

The Navy has confirmed that a destroyer with about 300 sailors aboard suffered a major breakdown in the Pacific Ocean last month that left it without power for four days

U.S. Navy Destroyer USS Benfold Loses Power for Four Days in South China Sea

U.S. Navy Destroyer USS Benfold Loses Power for Four Days in South China Sea

The U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold experienced a four-day power outage last month while operating in the South China Sea. The incident, which occurred on July 24, was due to an engineering failure involving the warship's generators. During this period, the USS Benfold was without working toilets, galley services, and air conditioning in the high temperatures of the South China Sea, which averaged between 89 and 98 degrees Fahrenheit. Navy Cmdr. Matthew Comer, spokesperson for the 7th Fleet, confirmed that there were no injuries to the crew, who demonstrated resilience in their response. The cause of the power outage is currently under investigation. The USS Benfold was eventually towed to Subic Bay in the Philippines for repairs, which were completed by August 8, allowing the ship to return to duty. A second U.S. warship, the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls, provided cooked meals to the Benfold during the power loss, and other ships from the Japan-based USS George Washington Carrie...

Rep. Don Bacon Criticizes President Trump's Comments on USS Lincoln Deployment, Calls for Congressional Oversight

Rep. Don Bacon Criticizes President Trump's Comments on USS Lincoln Deployment, Calls for Congressional Oversight

Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican from Nebraska, has voiced concerns regarding President Trump's recent remarks about the extended deployment of the USS Lincoln. On CBS's "Face The Nation" on August 16, Bacon stated that President Trump used "poor phrasing" when he dismissed the hardships faced by sailors, suggesting their deployment was "not long enough." Bacon emphasized the importance of acknowledging the difficulties service members and their families endure during long deployments, stating, "It’s better to acknowledge, ‘Hey, this is hard on the families. It’s hard on the service members.’" He also highlighted the need to thank them for their willingness to defend the country and undertake such lengthy missions. The USS Lincoln has been deployed for nearly nine months, leading to reports of deteriorating conditions, poor morale, and mental health crises among its crew. Bacon, drawing on his own experience with a year-long deployment to Iraq and time on an aircraft carrier, noted that suicides have occurred ...

White House Issues Order to Allow Foreign-Built Warships for U.S. Navy

White House Issues Order to Allow Foreign-Built Warships for U.S. Navy

The White House has issued a Presidential Memorandum titled “Rebuilding the United States Navy and America’s Shipbuilding Industrial Base,” which allows allied international shipbuilders to design and construct surface combatants for the U.S. Navy. This policy shift aims to address severe backlogs, budget overruns, and capacity constraints within major American defense shipbuilding programs. The directive introduces an international procurement path, utilizing a 'Finland Model' framework. Under this model, initial vessels in a class can be manufactured overseas to expedite delivery. In return, foreign contractors must invest in the U.S. defense industrial base by acquiring majority stakes or establishing new shipyards in the U.S., transferring proprietary technologies, and shifting all subsequent construction to American soil. The Secretary of War, in consultation with the Secretary of the Navy, is mandated to deliver a comprehensive plan within 90 days for a new competitive acquisition program focusing on...

‘Despicable' or unfortunate? Lawmakers' fury amid USS Lincoln crisis

‘Despicable' or unfortunate? Lawmakers' fury amid USS Lincoln crisis

Republican lawmakers have largely remained silent about reported conditions on the aircraft carrier, not criticizing Donald Trump or defending him.

Philippines sees no impact on defence ties from US Middle East redeployment

Philippines sees no impact on defence ties from US Middle East redeployment

MANILA, Aug 18 (Reuters) - The Philippines does not expect a reduction in military activities with its treaty ally the United States amid redeployment of some U.S. defence assets to the Middle East, an official said on Monday.

U.S. Department of State Notifies Congress of Section 907 Waiver Extension

U.S. Department of State Notifies Congress of Section 907 Waiver Extension

The U.S. Department of State has informed Congress of its decision to extend the waiver of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. This waiver allows the U.S. government to provide assistance to Azerbaijan despite the restrictions imposed by Section 907. The original Section 907, enacted in 1992, prohibits most direct U.S. aid to the government of Azerbaijan until the President determines and certifies to Congress that Azerbaijan has taken demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. However, since 2001, successive U.S. presidents have waived this provision, citing national security interests, particularly in the context of counter-terrorism efforts and energy security in the Caspian region. The extension of this waiver indicates a continuation of the U.S. policy to maintain flexibility in its engagement with Azerbaijan.

Reps. Garamendi and Courtney Lead Bipartisan Call for Navy to Address USS Abraham Lincoln Conditions

Reps. Garamendi and Courtney Lead Bipartisan Call for Navy to Address USS Abraham Lincoln Conditions

Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Military Readiness Subcommittee, and Congressman Joe Courtney, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, along with 52 other House Democrats, have demanded that Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao address alarming reports concerning living conditions and military readiness aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). The aircraft carrier has been deployed in a combat zone for over eight months, with its return date repeatedly extended. The lawmakers' letter highlights that the Lincoln reportedly endured 208 consecutive days without a port call, a modern record for a Navy aircraft carrier. Concerns include reports from sailors' families about food shortages, poor living conditions, and multiple instances of sailors attempting to jump overboard. These issues were also raised by family members during an August 6 town hall in San Diego.

Chinese drone maker DJI gets fresh chance to escape Pentagon's blacklist

Chinese drone maker DJI gets fresh chance to escape Pentagon's blacklist

By Jody Godoy and Karen Freifeld Aug 14 (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Friday ordered a lower court to reconsider whether China-based DJI, the world's largest drone maker, should be removed from a Pentagon list of companies allegedly supporting Beijing's military. The U.S.