Kathrine Frich
The mechanical failures show a growing strain on the American naval forces.
Working far from home usually involves long hours and predictable routines.
But when basic systems fail in the middle of nowhere, a normal day quickly turns into a test of endurance.
Modern technology only goes so far when the lights suddenly shut off.
Left in the dark
The American destroyer USS Benfold recently went completely dark during a routine mission in the Indo-Pacific region. According to CNN cited by Militarnyi, the United States Navy’s 7th Fleet confirmed the ship was left without power for four agonizing days.
A severe generator malfunction struck on July 24. And that unexpected breakdown left the massive vessel totally unable to steer itself through the ocean.
Things got uncomfortable very quickly for the men and women on board. Because the systems failed, the crew lost access to working toilets, air conditioning, fresh drinking water, and a functional kitchen.
Heat made the dire situation even worse. The USNI News outlet reported the ship was operating in the South China Sea, where daytime temperatures hovered around 35 degrees Celsius.
Calling for backup
Other military vessels had to step in immediately to help the stranded sailors. The USS Robert Smalls cruiser rushed over and delivered ready-to-eat military rations.
Additional ships from the USS George Washington strike group also provided crucial support during the outage. Eventually, rescue boats towed the Benfold into a Philippine bay for extensive fixes.
By early August, the Navy stated the destroyer had returned to active duty. Investigators are still trying to figure out exactly why the power systems failed so completely.
This is definitely not an isolated problem. Back in April, another Arleigh Burke-class destroyer named the USS Higgins lost its power and steering for several hours.
A stretched fleet
These mechanical failures highlight a massive and growing strain on the American naval forces. Operations in the Middle East are pushing crews and heavy equipment to their absolute limits.
The Benfold usually travels right alongside the USS George Washington aircraft carrier. That massive ship is currently heading toward the Middle East to relieve the exhausted USS Abraham Lincoln.
Meanwhile, sailors on the Lincoln are facing their own severe hardships right now. They have spent more than 250 days at sea without a normal port visit, completely breaking their usual rest cycle.
Relatives of the crew report plummeting morale and terrifying suicidal thoughts among the sailors. Seeking to ease the heavy burden, the Navy recently managed to restock the Lincoln during a brief stop in Oman.
Sources: Militarnyi, CNN, USNI News, US Navy
