U.S. Navy destroyer lost power for 4 days in South China Sea

U.S. Navy destroyer lost power for 4 days in South China Sea - The Washington Post

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National SecurityForeign PolicyIntelligenceJusticeMilitary

U.S. Navy destroyer lost power for 4 days in South China Sea

The ship’s crew lost access last month to drinkable water, running toilets and air conditioning, as the fleet sees heavy use by the Trump administration.

August 17, 2026 at 6:17 p.m. EDT

Yesterday at 6:17 p.m. EDT

3 min

*The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold arrives at port in Qingdao, China, in 2016. (Borg Wong/AP)*

By

Tara Copp

A U.S. Navy destroyer experienced a complete loss of power while deployed in the South China Sea last month, leaving sailors without drinkable water, meals, running toilets or air conditioning for four days.

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