MILLINGTON, Tenn. – A San Antonio native will return to San Diego from a seven-month deployment serving aboard USS Stockdale, a U.S. Navy warship that recently conducted operations in the Middle East.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Fabian Ortiz, a 2012 graduate of Harlandale High School, joined the Navy five years ago.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in San Antonio.
“I learned growing up how to have a strong mentality which has helped me become a good leader and has allowed me to help junior sailors navigate their journey in the Navy,” said Ortiz.
While on its seven-month deployment, USS Stockdale conducted combat operations against the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden, maintaining free and open sea lanes and regional stability. Stockdale also built continuing relationships with the militaries of Egypt and the Republic of Maldives, important partners of the United States.
“I am honored to be a part of this crew,” said Ortiz. “To be able to go through a once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing real-world combat has been one of the craziest experiences I’ve been through. Telling this story is a great honor and a great way to inspire future sailors to join.”
Homeported in San Diego, Stockdale is a guided-missile destroyer and the third U.S. Navy ship named in honor of Vice Adm. James Bond Stockdale, an aviator who was awarded the Medal of Honor based on his service in the Vietnam War, during which time he was a prisoner of war for over seven years.
A Navy destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Ortiz can take pride in serving America through military service.
“Serving in the Navy has been an amazing experience,” added Ortiz. “I feel like the Navy has really helped set a path to a better future and a better life. Joining the Navy has changed my life and gave me so many friendships and a second family.”
