MILLINGTON, Tenn. – A sailor whose parents live in Queen Creek, Arizona, will return to San Diego from a seven-month deployment serving aboard USS Stockdale, a U.S. Navy warship that recently conducted operations in the Middle East.
Petty Officer 1st Class Adrian Talbo is a native of Phoenix, Arizona, and a 2018 graduate of Independence High School.
Talbo joined the Navy five years ago.
“I joined the Navy to create a path for myself in life," Talbo said. "After high school, I attended community college for a year and was blessed with the opportunity to play football as well. After that year, I remember sitting down and having a conversation with my mom about my interest in the Navy and what drew me in that direction. She was extremely supportive of my decision to join. The next day, we went into the recruiting office and got the process started and I have not looked back since."
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Phoenix.
“Growing up, my brothers and I played sports all year round," Talbo said. "Being in a team environment from a very early age has been a huge advantage being in the military. The Navy is the biggest team in the world and those same values our little league coaches taught us growing up, I continue to carry every day."
While on its seven-month deployment, USS Stockdale conducted combat operations against the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden, maintaining free and open sea lanes and regional stability. Stockdale also built continuing relationships with the militaries of Egypt and the Republic of Maldives, important partners of the United States.
“Being a part of this deployment and a part of this amazing crew has been such a great experience," Talbo said. "The friendships I have created will last a lifetime. Growing up, I was always told by my parents and high school coaches, 'You practice how you play,' and this historic deployment has been a true testament to that."
Homeported in San Diego, Stockdale is a guided-missile destroyer and the third U.S. Navy ship named in honor of Vice Adm. James Bond Stockdale, an aviator who was awarded the Medal of Honor based on his service in the Vietnam War, during which time he was a prisoner of war for over seven years.
A Navy destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Talbo can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy has been extremely rewarding to me," Talbo added. "I've had the ability to create lifelong bonds, see new places, learn and excel in my job, meet my beautiful wife and start a wonderful family. I am forever grateful for what the Navy has done and continues to do for me."
Petty Officer 1st Class Adrian Talbo is a native of Phoenix, Arizona, and a 2018 graduate of Independence High School.
Talbo joined the Navy five years ago.
“I joined the Navy to create a path for myself in life," Talbo said. "After high school, I attended community college for a year and was blessed with the opportunity to play football as well. After that year, I remember sitting down and having a conversation with my mom about my interest in the Navy and what drew me in that direction. She was extremely supportive of my decision to join. The next day, we went into the recruiting office and got the process started and I have not looked back since."
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Phoenix.
“Growing up, my brothers and I played sports all year round," Talbo said. "Being in a team environment from a very early age has been a huge advantage being in the military. The Navy is the biggest team in the world and those same values our little league coaches taught us growing up, I continue to carry every day."
While on its seven-month deployment, USS Stockdale conducted combat operations against the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden, maintaining free and open sea lanes and regional stability. Stockdale also built continuing relationships with the militaries of Egypt and the Republic of Maldives, important partners of the United States.
“Being a part of this deployment and a part of this amazing crew has been such a great experience," Talbo said. "The friendships I have created will last a lifetime. Growing up, I was always told by my parents and high school coaches, 'You practice how you play,' and this historic deployment has been a true testament to that."
Homeported in San Diego, Stockdale is a guided-missile destroyer and the third U.S. Navy ship named in honor of Vice Adm. James Bond Stockdale, an aviator who was awarded the Medal of Honor based on his service in the Vietnam War, during which time he was a prisoner of war for over seven years.
A Navy destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Talbo can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy has been extremely rewarding to me," Talbo added. "I've had the ability to create lifelong bonds, see new places, learn and excel in my job, meet my beautiful wife and start a wonderful family. I am forever grateful for what the Navy has done and continues to do for me."