SAN DIEGO - Airman Adrian BarriosAcosta, a native of Miami, Florida, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Theodore Roosevelt, 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 |
BarriosAcosta graduated from Bloomfield in 2018.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Miami.
BarriosAcosta joined the Navy two years ago. Today, BarriosAcosta serves as an aviation structural mechanic.
“I joined because my father was in the Navy and served in the Army. He wanted to support the war efforts in Africa when he was 18,” BarriosAcosta said. “He's a survivor; he's been my inspiration and the reason why I'm serving the country.”
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.
Among the largest warships in the world, USS Theodore Roosevelt 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.
“This aircraft carrier is one of the most powerful warships in the world, but it is our sailors that give the U.S. Navy our warfighting advantage,” said Capt. Will Mathis, commanding officer of Theodore Roosevelt. “For over 250 years, sailors have built the foundation of our readiness and resolve, enabled us to keep America safe and ensured the U.S. Navy remains the strongest and most capable maritime force in the world.”
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.
BarriosAcosta has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I'm proud of being selected for the Blue Jacket award. Also, I'm proud of getting excellent and outstanding in all my physical fitness tests.” BarriosAcosta 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 in the Navy means honor, respect, and being part of the finest Navy in the world,” BarriosAcosta said.
BarriosAcosta is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank all my chain of command; they support me all the time, and all personnel in IM-2 and my recruiter back home,” BarriosAcosta said.