LEMOORE, Calif. – Seaman Syril Joy Bondoc, daughter of residents of Las Vegas, Nevada, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 125. The command is a joint strike fighter squadron located aboard the U.S. Navy’s largest master jet base.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Vanessa White |
Bondoc joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Bondoc serves as a logistics specialist.
“I joined the Navy after immigrating to the United States and I was looking for a way to be independent. said Bondoc.
Bondoc grew up in the Philippines before immigrating to the United States. Today, Bondoc relies upon skills and values she grew up with to succeed in the military.
“I learned that everyone is on their own path and that everyone will have their own time to shine," said Bondoc.
These lessons have helped Bondoc while serving with the Navy.
Members of VFA-125 fly and maintain the F35-C Lightning II, a combat-ready fifth-generation fighter.
According to Navy officials, the F-35C is designed with the entire battlespace in mind, bringing transformational capability to the United States and its allies. Missions traditionally performed by specialized aircraft (air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, electronic attack, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) can now be executed by a squadron of F-35s.
For the first time in U.S. naval aviation history, radar-evading stealth capability comes to the aircraft carrier deck. The F-35C carrier variant sets new standards in weapon system integration, lethality, maintainability, combat radius and payload that bring true multi-mission power projection capability from the sea, according to Navy officials.
This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later six of them, known as "The First Six," earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today our women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. Our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service.
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy."
As a member of the Navy, Bondoc is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy has unique capabilities to complete the mission," said Bondoc. “Combined with the Marine Corps and our civilian staff, we can accomplish a lot.”
Bondoc and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I am proud to be part of something bigger than myself and to serve people every day in my role as a logistics specialist,” said Bondoc.
As Bondoc and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving means taking care of my fellow sailors and making sure that planes are flying, ships are sailing and mail is getting delivered," said Bondoc.
Bondoc is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my father, Rudy Madrid, whose service in the Navy paved the way for me,” added Bondoc. “He continues to support me unconditionally.”