MILLINGTON, Tenn. — Petty Officer 1st Class Cesar Garcia-Herrera was recently selected for Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Eight’s Sailor Shout Out.
Assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, Garcia-Herrera was instrumental in enabling combat operations during the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group’s 2024-2025 deployment, supporting both the "Sunliners" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81 and the "Knighthawks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136 as an airframes technician and quality assurance representative.
CSG-8, based in Norfolk, Virginia, is highlighting the sailors whose skill, courage and ingenuity drive mission success every day. Lethality at CSG-8 begins with its sailors, because there is no substitute for trained, trusted and ready sailors.
Garcia-Herrera has served in the Navy for 11 years as an aviation structural mechanic. He is a 2014 graduate of Covina High School and has since then attended classes at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
In Garcia-Herrera’s dual-hatted role, he was a force multiplier in repairing landing gear and other various aircraft parts, embodying professionalism, courage and adaptability throughout an eight-month deployment in which Carrier Air Wing 1 squadrons flew more than 13,000 sorties and 25,000 flight hours.
Decisive combat airpower is supercharged by sailors like Garcia-Herrera. In March of 2025, the strike group launched precision airstrikes for more than 50 days, conducting continuous operations to degrade Houthi capabilities and disrupt threats to commercial shipping.
When asked what the recognition meant, Garcia-Herrera emphasized humility.
“It is an honor and a privilege to represent the Navy in this light,” Garcia-Herrera said. “I hope it’s apparent what the military means to me, and what it has done for my family and myself.”
He also added a note of gratitude for his leadership.
“I truly appreciate my chain of command for showing their appreciation and recognition of my work ethic and drive,” Garcia-Herrera said.
Carrier strike groups are the cornerstone of the Navy’s forward presence through sea control and power projection.
CSG-8 consists of the flagship, USS Harry S. Truman; Carrier Air Wing 1; staffs from CSG-8; the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Gettysburg; and two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Stout and USS Cole. CSG-8’s mission is to conduct prompt and sustained combat, incident to operations at sea, by building and employing a trained, ready carrier strike group prepared when called upon to achieve the warfighting objectives of any assigned joint force or fleet commander worldwide.
Carrier Air Wing 1 is based at Naval Air Station Oceana and conducts aircraft-carrier-based strike warfare operations and assists in the planning, coordination and integration of six squadrons to provide combat readiness to the carrier strike group and combatant commanders.
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contributions to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and internet access relying on secure undersea fiber-optic cables, Navy leaders emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the country.
For more information about CSG-8, visit CSG-8’s social media at facebook.com/ccsg8, on Instagram at @carrierstrikegroup8, or check out its website at c2f.usff.navy.mil/csg8.