Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A U.S. Navy destroyer with about 300 sailors aboard suffered a major breakdown in the Pacific Ocean last month that left it without power for four days, the Navy confirmed in a statement.
The USS Benfold “reported an engineering casualty involving its generators, causing a loss of power” on July 24, Navy spokesman Cmdr. Matthew Comer said in the statement. The breakdown meant the crew went without drinking water, meals, functioning toilets and air conditioning for days aboard the ship, Comer said.
The incident, which only became public on Friday when it was first reported by USNI News, comes as the Pentagon grapples with serious questions about the quality of life aboard naval vessels and the military's ability to supply ships during the conflict with Iran.
Democratic lawmakers are calling for investigations into conditions aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Reports last week revealed that the ship, which has spent a record-setting 250 uninterrupted days at sea, has experienced shortages of supplies, including food and hygiene products, while crew members have suffered from stress and poor mental health.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied there was a problem. Some Democrats criticized his lax attitude as he rallied for a proposed $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget.
Meanwhile, South Korea confirmed its joint military exercises with the U.S. are being cut short at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump, who cited his relationship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and South Korea's lack of support in Trump's war against Iran.
READ MORE: 13wham.com/news/nation-world/300-sailors-endured-4-days-without-water-toilets-air-conditioning-food-after-navy-destroyer-7th-fleet-uss-benfold-lost-power-engineering-failure-south-china-sea
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A U.S. Navy destroyer with about 300 sailors aboard suffered a major breakdown in the Pacific Ocean last month that left it without power for four days, the Navy confirmed in a statement.
The USS Benfold “reported an engineering casualty involving its generators, causing a loss of power” on July 24, Navy spokesman Cmdr. Matthew Comer said in the statement. The breakdown meant the crew went without drinking water, meals, functioning toilets and air conditioning for days aboard the ship, Comer said.
The incident, which only became public on Friday when it was first reported by USNI News, comes as the Pentagon grapples with serious questions about the quality of life aboard naval vessels and the military's ability to supply ships during the conflict with Iran.
Democratic lawmakers are calling for investigations into conditions aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Reports last week revealed that the ship, which has spent a record-setting 250 uninterrupted days at sea, has experienced shortages of supplies, including food and hygiene products, while crew members have suffered from stress and poor mental health.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied there was a problem. Some Democrats criticized his lax attitude as he rallied for a proposed $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget.
Meanwhile, South Korea confirmed its joint military exercises with the U.S. are being cut short at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump, who cited his relationship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and South Korea's lack of support in Trump's war against Iran.
READ MORE: 13wham.com/news/nation-world/300-sailors-endured-4-days-without-water-toilets-air-conditioning-food-after-navy-destroyer-7th-fleet-uss-benfold-lost-power-engineering-failure-south-china-sea
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13 WHAM on Facebook: facebook.com/13WHAM
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13 WHAM Daily Local News Digest: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuTJB6tta5ar3Fu5CumAvlvVunEP6bc9A
For more information, visit 13wham.com
Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:
Email us: news@13wham.com
Call the Newsroom: (585) 334-8700
WHAM is a NY based station and a ABC Television affiliate owned and operated by Deerfield Media, Inc and receives certain services from an affiliation of Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today.
#13WHAM #News #Rochester #NewYork
