SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 2nd Class Andres Melgar Aguilar, a native of Cornelius, Oregon, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Carl Vinson, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Caleb Kissner, Fleet Public Affairs Center San Diego |
Melgar Aguilar graduated from Forest Grove High School in 2020.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Cornelius.
“Resilience and adaptability were common traits among my friends and family,” Melgar Aguilar said.
Melgar Aguilar joined the Navy six years ago. Today, Melgar Aguilar serves as a sonar technician (surface).
“My older brother inspired me to join,” Melgar Aguilar said. “He enlisted with the Marines in 2017, inspiring my little brother and me to walk a similar path.”
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, USS 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.”
Melgar Aguilar has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I'm proud of supporting other sailors in their careers and personal lives where I can,” Melgar Aguilar said.
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 allows me to meet some of the best people in the world,” Melgar Aguilar said.
Melgar Aguilar is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“Every individual I've met in my career and my family,” Melgar Aguilar said. “They've all had a significant impact on me in some way, shape, or form, and my family has always encouraged me to keep going and be there for me through everything.”