MAYPORT, Fla. - Airman Belen Valencia, a native of Atwater, California, serves in the U.S. Navy and is assigned to Naval Station Mayport in Florida.
Valencia graduated from Buhach Colony High School in 2025.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Atwater.
“A lesson from home that helped me in the Navy is learning to talk to people,” Valencia said. “I was taught to be more open and confident when talking to people and that has been a useful skill in the Navy.”
Valencia joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Valencia serves as an air traffic controller.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted a stable career in air traffic control,” Valencia said. “I also wanted to help out my parents financially, and joining the Navy is helping me do that.”
Naval Station Mayport is one of the largest naval ports on the East Coast. It has a harbor capable of accommodating 34 ships and an 8,000-foot runway able to support any type of aircraft in the Department of War inventory. The base also serves as the headquarters for the 4th Fleet, which oversees U.S. Naval operations in the Caribbean, Central, and South America.
The mission of Naval Station Mayport is to “Sustain and Enhance Warfighter Readiness,” providing the “Finest service to the Finest fleet.”
“Our sailors are the backbone of everything we do,” said Capt. Mike Trumbull, commanding officer of Naval Station Mayport. “Their dedication, resilience, and readiness ensure our Fleet remains continuously mission-capable. At Naval Station Mayport, mission readiness starts with taking care of our people. Every service we provide, from housing to quality-of-life programs, supports that critical effort.”
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.
Valencia has had many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is passing the schooling needed to work as an air traffic controller,” Valencia said. “It takes a lot of discipline to be able to pass the schooling due to the amount of knowledge needed in order to succeed.”
Valencia serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy is something to be proud of,” Valencia said. “There is a lot of training that you need to go through in order to do this.”
Valencia is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“My parents have definitely been my biggest source of support,” Valencia said. “They have helped keep me motivated to keep going and have provided guidance when I needed it.”
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. For more information, visit: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rion Codrington |
Valencia graduated from Buhach Colony High School in 2025.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Atwater.
“A lesson from home that helped me in the Navy is learning to talk to people,” Valencia said. “I was taught to be more open and confident when talking to people and that has been a useful skill in the Navy.”
Valencia joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Valencia serves as an air traffic controller.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted a stable career in air traffic control,” Valencia said. “I also wanted to help out my parents financially, and joining the Navy is helping me do that.”
Naval Station Mayport is one of the largest naval ports on the East Coast. It has a harbor capable of accommodating 34 ships and an 8,000-foot runway able to support any type of aircraft in the Department of War inventory. The base also serves as the headquarters for the 4th Fleet, which oversees U.S. Naval operations in the Caribbean, Central, and South America.
The mission of Naval Station Mayport is to “Sustain and Enhance Warfighter Readiness,” providing the “Finest service to the Finest fleet.”
“Our sailors are the backbone of everything we do,” said Capt. Mike Trumbull, commanding officer of Naval Station Mayport. “Their dedication, resilience, and readiness ensure our Fleet remains continuously mission-capable. At Naval Station Mayport, mission readiness starts with taking care of our people. Every service we provide, from housing to quality-of-life programs, supports that critical effort.”
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.
Valencia has had many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is passing the schooling needed to work as an air traffic controller,” Valencia said. “It takes a lot of discipline to be able to pass the schooling due to the amount of knowledge needed in order to succeed.”
Valencia serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy is something to be proud of,” Valencia said. “There is a lot of training that you need to go through in order to do this.”
Valencia is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“My parents have definitely been my biggest source of support,” Valencia said. “They have helped keep me motivated to keep going and have provided guidance when I needed it.”
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. For more information, visit: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/