LEMOORE, Calif. - Every sailor’s story of naval service is unique. For Airman Recruit Abdiel Castro, this story has ties to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where skills and values learned there are foundational to success in the Navy.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mitch Meppelink |
“Growing up, I did a lot of sports, worked with other people, volunteered doing several things and worked as a waiter,” Castro said. “All of that got me more comfortable talking to people. I can express myself to others, and if I need help, I can say it out loud to another person without being scared or intimidated.”
Castro graduated from Warren Central High School in 2024.
Castro joined the Navy nearly one year ago.
“I joined the Navy mainly because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in college,” Castro said. “I talked to my dad about it, and he told me to join the military. I didn’t want to waste time and money trying to figure out what I wanted to do in college. I went to the recruiter’s office to ask questions and came out as a future sailor.”
Today, Castro serves as an aviation maintenance administrationman assigned to the “Vigilantes” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151 onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore.
NAS Lemoore is home to Commander Strike Fighter Wing Pacific and Commander Joint Strike Fighter Wing. More than half of the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft reside here, and it is the only Navy installation to house the F-35C Lightning II.
Carrier strike groups and the embarked aviation squadrons are the cornerstone of U.S. naval power projection and sea power. They can quickly maneuver thousands of miles with the world’s most capable warships and top-notch sailors, remaining on station in areas of interest without relying on land bases or overflight agreements. U.S. Navy aircraft carriers are the most adaptable, lethal and survivable airfields in the world and their presence serves as the most credible commitment to our allies and partners.
Naval aviation provides the Navy and our nation with a flexible, adaptable, and lethal force to preserve peace, respond in crises and win decisively in combat. The U.S. Navy maintains and operates more than 2,000 aircraft to fulfill various mission sets in order to preserve the American way of life and ensure freedom, security and 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.
Castro has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of graduating at the top of my ‘A’ school class,” Castro said. “I was an honor student. I didn’t miss any questions at all while I was there. That got me into the Advanced Acceleration Program, which meant I could go from E-1 to E-4 in four to 11 months. Honestly, I didn’t think I would get it because there were a lot of smart people in my classes, but I studied hard and got top of my class.”
Castro serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
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. More information is available here: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/
“Serving in the Navy means a lot to me, but it especially means a lot to my mom,” Castro said. “She always wanted a child in the military. Here I am now, in the military.”
Castro is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my dad and my mom, Carlos and Keren, because they were the ones who pushed me,” Castro said. “Without them, I don’t know what I would be doing right now.”