CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A Cypress, California, native is serving in the U.S. Navy where naval aviators learn the skills they need to fly missions around the world.
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| Photo by Stephanie Fox, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Ensign Alexander Trinkle, a 2012 graduate of Cypress High School graduate and 2018 California University, Long Beach graduate, joined the Navy two years ago.
“I've had a love for flying for a while, and I always wanted to be a military aviator,” said Trinkle. "I thought flying planes for the Navy would be more challenging because you have an opportunity to fly different aircraft that you don’t have in the civilian world.”
Skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those found in Cypress.
“I grew up in a military household, so I had a feel for that type of lifestyle,” said Trinkle. “My parents did a good job raising me in a way that allowed me to succeed both professionally and personally.”
Trinkle serves as a student pilot with Training Air Wing Four (TRAWING 4) located at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. TRAWING 4 comprises four training squadrons that conduct Primary, Intermediate, and Advanced flight training for Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard pilots.
“I enjoy the aviation skills that the Navy provides, and there is a sense of camaraderie amongst the pilots,” said Trinkle.
The air training program focuses on the increased complexity of today’s aircraft. After successfully completing the rigorous program, naval aviators earn their coveted “Wings of Gold.”
After graduation, pilots continue their training to learn how to fly a specific aircraft, such as the Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter attack jet, the F-35 Lightning strike fighter jet or the SH-60 Seahawk helicopter. These aircraft take off from and land on Navy aircraft carriers at sea.
Navy aircraft carriers are designed for a 50-year service life. When the air wing is embarked, the ship carries more than 70 attack fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft, all of which take off from and land aboard the carrier at sea. With more than 5,000 sailors serving aboard, the aircraft carrier is a self-contained mobile airport.
Aircraft carriers are often the first response to a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans.
Since USS Langley's commissioning 100 years ago, the nation's aircraft carriers and embarked carrier air wings have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.
"The aircraft carrier is our U.S. Navy's centerpiece, our flagship, and a constant reminder to the rest of the world of our enduring maritime presence and influence," said Rear Adm. James P. Downey, USN, Program Executive Officer (PEO) Aircraft Carriers. "These ships touch every part of our Navy's mission to project power, ensure sea control, and deter our adversaries."
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to ready sailors and a strong Navy.
“Maintaining the world’s best Navy is an investment in the security and prosperity of the United States, as well as the stability of our world,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “The U.S. Navy—forward deployed and integrated with all elements of national power—deters conflict, strengthens our alliances and partnerships, and guarantees free and open access to the world’s oceans. As the United States responds to the security environment through integrated deterrence, our Navy must continue to deploy forward and campaign with a ready, capable, combat-credible fleet.”
Serving in the Navy means Trinkle is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy has a global presence,” said Trinkle. "We can be almost anywhere around the world in order to protect our freedom and ideals."
Trinkle has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment has been going through the aviation program and knowing that I will be doing great things for the Navy,” said Trinkle.
As Trinkle and other sailors continue to perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“I do this for my country,” added Trinkle. "I'm proud to be an American and give back to our country. It’s given me opportunities to reach my goals as a pilot.”