SAN DIEGO - Airman Apprentice Mayra Diaz Morales, a native of Bakersfield, California, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Carl Vinson, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of San Diego, California.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Caleb Kissner, Fleet Public Affairs Center San Diego |
Diaz Morales graduated from Independence High School in 2025.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Bakersfield.
“Growing up, I learned to take advantage of opportunities,” Diaz Morales said. “Many times, if there’s something that can help me get a step ahead, I’ll take that opportunity to do that. It’s helped me better myself.”
Diaz Morales joined the Navy seven months ago. Today, Diaz Morales serves as an aviation boatswain’s mate (handling).
“Growing up, my family had little resources but continued to give me everything they could,” Diaz Morales said. “I joined the Navy as an opportunity to make them proud. The Navy looked the most interesting to me, with the opportunity to travel. I’d never been on a ship before. I wanted new experiences.”
Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s naval forces. For more than 100 years, they have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.
Carl Vinson returned in August 2025 from a nine-month deployment to the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations, during which it conducted freedom of navigation operations, multinational exercises with U.S. allies and partners, and combat operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Back in its homeport of San Diego, Carl Vinson remains a combat-ready force dedicated to protecting and defending the United States.
Among the largest warships in the world, Carl Vinson is longer than three football fields at 1,092 feet. The ship is 252 feet wide and weighs more than 100,000 tons. More than 5,000 sailors serve aboard these self-contained mobile airports.
According to Navy officials, aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first response in a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans. In addition, no other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility and combat capability of its air wing.
“The might of this ship doesn’t just come from its advanced technology, but from the skillful, resilient and courageous men and women who serve aboard,” said Capt. Joshua Wenker, commanding officer of Carl Vinson. “Our sailors have always been, and will always be, our greatest asset. Their hard work, dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence ensure that we execute the mission aboard America’s Favorite Carrier with pride and precision every single day.”
Diaz Morales has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m proud of doing my job and helping be productive in my workspace,” Diaz Morales said. “It’s something that seems small, but it helps a lot for everyone who works with me.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution 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 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.
“Serving in the Navy means self-improvement for myself and others,” Diaz Morales said.
Diaz Morales is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my family for all of their support, especially my dad,” Diaz Morales said. “I was born in Guatemala, and he’s the reason I came to the U.S. He opened a lot of doors for me.”