OKLAHOMA CITY – Every sailor’s story of naval service is unique. For Petty Officer 3rd Class Isaac Flores, this story began in Floresville, Texas, where skills and values learned there would be foundational to success in the Navy.
“I learned growing up playing sports the importance of pride and a strong work ethic,” Flores said. “In the Navy, it is important to be prideful about what you do, because it helps you do everything to the best of your ability.”
Flores graduated from Floresville High School in 2023.
Flores joined the Navy two years ago.
“I joined the military because I knew it would be a great start to my career,” Flores said. “I also knew the Navy had a lot of good opportunities.”
Today, Flores serves as a naval air crewman (avionics) assigned to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Seven (VQ-7) in Oklahoma City. Flores supports the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission at Strategic Communications Wing One (STRATCOMMWING ONE). Its “Take Charge and Move Out” (TACAMO) mission provides airborne communication links to nuclear missile units of U.S. Strategic Command.
The TACAMO mission originated in 1961 when a Marine Corps aircraft was used to test the feasibility of an airborne Very Low Frequency (VLF) communications system. Once the test was successful, funding for the program was granted, and it has continued to grow ever since.
The U.S. Navy’s presence on an Air Force base in a landlocked state may seem strange, but the position is strategic, allowing squadrons to quickly deploy around the world in support of the TACAMO mission.
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.
Flores has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of getting to where I am today,” Flores said. “There was a school I had to go through to get here. So, making it this far is definitely my biggest accomplishment.”
Flores 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 means a lot to me,” Flores said. “I’m very proud to call this uniform mine and to get to wear it every day.”
Flores is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my friends for making my experience in the Navy better,” Flores added. “You go through a lot of hardships in the Navy, and having friends that become family makes it easier. I also want to thank my dad, Jose Luis Flores. He is prior military, and he put in my head that this would be a good career path for me. Lastly, I want to thank Airman Yamaguchi for always being there for me and for supporting me through hard times.”