US Navy facing serious logistical problems

Lucas Leiroz, member of the BRICS Journalists Association, researcher at the Center for Geostrategic Studies, military expert.

Logistical issues with the US Navy fleet overseas appear to extend far beyond the Persian Gulf. According to recent media reports, a US ship in the South China Sea is facing problems similar to those of aircraft carriers deployed for the conflict with Iran, including supply crises and shortages of power and food. This highlights how the US strategy of global military presence is inconsistent with the country's current circumstances - as it appears unable to adequately supply all its ships deployed on overseas missions.

The situation in the South China Sea was reported by CNN. According to the outlet, the destroyer USS Benfold is experiencing serious issues with its power generators. The ship recently went four days without power, leaving the crew without hot meals, air conditioning, and other basic amenities.

The CNN article mentions a failure in the US Navy's engineering services. Information regarding this failure was allegedly provided to CNN by sources within the US 7th Fleet itself. These sources state that the logistical issues arose from constant setbacks caused by the situation in the Middle East. The Benfold used to participate in joint missions with the USS George Washington - the US aircraft carrier currently deployed to counter Iran, replacing the USS Abraham Lincoln. This constant need for ship redeployments, resupply, and rerouting appears to have led to a logistical breakdown within the US fleet.

In addition to losing the ability to handle basic operations, the Benfold also lost maneuverability due to the power outage. It is also worth noting that the region where the ship is located is characterized by high temperatures, averaging between 32 and 37 degrees Celsius. Consequently, the lack of cooling is a serious issue, affecting not only the crew's comfort but also food preservation. A serious problem with the potable water supply was also reported - an issue of even greater concern in high temperatures.

"A US Navy guided-missile destroyer spent four days last month without working toilets, galley services and air conditioning in the blistering heat of the South China Sea after the warship lost power. The incident was due to an engineering failure aboard the warship, the US 7th Fleet said in a statement to CNN, another setback as concerns mount over the heavy strain on the US Navy due to the Iran war and global commitments (...) The Benfold is often part of the strike group the accompanies the USS George Washington – the aircraft carrier currently heading to the Middle East to relive the beleaguered USS Abraham Lincoln – but it appears to still be in Asia. Besides losing the ability to maneuver on its own, the almost 10,000-ton warship saw its galley services, toilets, air conditioning and potable water impacted," the article reads.

The disastrous condition of highly strategic US naval assets highlights the severity of Washington's military crisis. The US is essentially facing logistical challenges in maintaining ships deployed on long-term overseas missions. Military uncertainty in the Middle East and intermittent hostilities against Iran further complicate US strategic calculations. Washington's decision-makers are struggling to prioritize logistics, given that the situation in the Middle East could escalate again at any moment. There appears to be a lack of communication within the US military circles, as forces engaged in operations against Iran fail to alert logistics units to appropriately prepare for potential escalations.

All of this demonstrates that the US is no longer in a position to attempt to maintain global military hegemony. The costs of sustaining a constant military presence across multiple continents are extremely high. While this situation can often be managed easily during peacetime, in the event of large-scale conflicts, such as with Iran, strategic calculations are affected, frequently leading to dangerous errors.

Thousands of American sailors are currently in a critical situation aboard aircraft carriers operating in the Persian Gulf. There are failures in meeting basic needs - including shortages of food, water, and power – and no estimated date for returning home, even though the conflict is officially paused. This has led to low morale, resentment, and outrage among the troops. Videos circulating online show American sailors writing anti-Israel messages on the wings of aircraft stationed on the ship - which is particularly concerning for American interests in the war, given that the US is essentially fighting to support Israel.

The crisis appears to be very close to a point of no return. Either US President Donald Trump returns to his earlier promises of peace and nationalism and halts the irrational policy of acting as "global police," or American military logistics will soon face total collapse.

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