LEMOORE, Calif. - Every sailor’s story of naval service is unique. For Petty Officer 2nd Class Carlos Avalos, this story has ties to Thousand Oaks, California, 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 was on the wrestling team,” Avalos said. “I enjoyed being part of a team, working on a common goal. I do the same thing here and enjoy working with equipment that keeps pilots safe.”
Avalos graduated from Thousand Oaks High School in 2021.
Avalos joined the Navy five years ago.
“I joined the Navy looking for a career that would allow me to travel, see the world as well as provide job security,” Avalos said.” I was very excited to be able to work on plane engines as well as travel and see different parts of the world that the average American doesn’t have the opportunity to.”
Today, Avalos serves as an aviation machinist's mate assigned to Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Lemoore aboard 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.
Avalos has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“It is an honor to be a jet engine mechanic,” Avalos said. “We keep planes and pilots in the sky and able to complete their mission. Being trusted to work on multimillion dollar engines and train newer and junior sailors gives me pride.”
Avalos 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 being a part of something bigger than yourself and carrying on a tradition going back 250 years,” Avalos said. “Sailors all around the world are on the front lines to make sure our families and fellow Americans can sleep safely at night and live the lives they want to.”
Avalos is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank all of my mentors for showing me the ropes and welcoming me into the fleet. I would not be as successful as a sailor without them,” Avalos said.