- December 20, 2024
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Petty Officer 3rd Class Alisa Sambolin said growing up in Palm Coast she learned the skills and values necessary to succeed in the Navy.
Sambolin serves aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, which is homeported in Norfolk, Virginia. She graduated from Matanzas High School in 2021.
“I learned growing up to be more open and to have an open mind toward others,” Sambolin said.
Sambolin joined the Navy two years ago. She serves as an information systems technician.
“I joined the Navy to travel,” she said. "During our last deployment, we traveled to Turkey, Greece, Italy, Croatia and Norway."
The crew recently completed an eight-month deployment, which was the first deployment for the Gerald R. Ford.
The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was extended 76 days following the outbreak of the conflict in Israel and operated in the Mediterranean Sea to deter further escalation.
While in the Mediterranean, the carrier strike group participated in and supported numerous multinational exercises and vigilance activities to increase NATO capability and deter aggression in the region. The carrier visited ports in Croatia, Greece, Italy, Norway and Turkey.
“I'm proud of the qualifications I've earned so far in the Navy,” Sambolin said. "I qualified as the communications watch officer during our last deployment and I'm working on my warfare qualifications now.
"Serving in the Navy means that I can protect my family," she added. “I want to thank my parents, Melissa Hidalgo and Nelson Sambolin, for always supporting me.”
