By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerry Jimenez, Navy Office of Community Outreach

SAN DIEGO - A native of Houston, Texas, is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided-missile cruiser, USS Cowpens.

Fireman Albert Abrego, a 2020 North Shore Senior High School graduate, joined the Navy two years ago.

“I was inspired to join the Navy because I didn't have a plan after high school,” said Abrego. “The Navy came to me and offered me different jobs. My dad was a welder for gas turbines, which also influenced me.”

Today, Abrego serves as a gas turbine mechanical technician.

A gas turbine mechanical technician is responsible for maintaining the upkeep and performance of turbine engines on a ship.

Abrego relies upon skills and values from lessons learned in Houston to succeed in the military.

“I saw my father always work late to provide for me and my sisters," said Abrego. "I believe I brought his hard work ethic with me to the Navy.”

Homeported in San Diego, California, USS Cowpens is named after the Revolutionary War Battle of Cowpens, a major American victory near Cowpens, South Carolina. The historic battle weakened British attempts to wrest the southern colonies from American control.

Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers are tactical multi-mission surface combatants capable of conducting anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare, as well as humanitarian assistance, according to Navy officials.

Fast, maneuverable, and technically advanced, cruisers provide the required warfighting expertise and operational flexibility to execute any task overseas.

Serving in the Navy means Abrego is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy contributes to national defense because we're defending our homeland," said Abrego. "We're able to take the fight to others in order to minimize damage to the United States.”

More than 90 percent of all trade travels by sea, and fiber optic cables on the ocean floor carry 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic.

Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to ready sailors and a strong Navy.

“Maintaining the world’s best Navy is an investment in the security and prosperity of the United States, as well as the stability of our world,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations.“The U.S. Navy – forward deployed and integrated with all elements of national power – deters conflict, strengthens our alliances and partnerships and guarantees free and open access to the world’s oceans. As the United States responds to the security environment through integrated deterrence, our Navy must continue to deploy forward and campaign with a ready, capable, combat-credible fleet.”

“The Surface Force will continue to meet the challenge of strategic competition and respond to the realities of the modern security environment,” said Commander of Naval Surface Forces Vice Adm. Roy Kitchener. “ Our efforts are critical to preserve freedom of the seas, deter aggression and win wars.”

Sailors like Abrego, have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

"I joined the Navy in the peak of COVID-19, and I'm most proud of being able to push through this whole situation," said Abrego.

As Abrego and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving in the Navy means having the courage and confidence to put on this uniform and represent the Navy, as well as those who came before me,” added Abrego.