USS Benfold Towed to Subic Bay for Emergency Repairs as U.S. Navy Expands Regional MRO Hubs

In July, the USS Benfold, an Arleigh Burke‑class destroyer, suffered a power failure that left it stranded in the South China Sea. The ship was subsequently towed to Subic Bay in the Philippines, where U. S. Navy facilities are conducting emergency repairs. Subic Bay is one of several repair and maintenance hubs the U. S. Navy is developing across the region to enable allies to perform major maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) work on U. S. naval vessels. The move reflects the Navy’s strategy to offset a shrinking domestic shipbuilding base and maintain fleet readiness through regional partnerships.