KINGSVILLE, Texas — A Bakersfield man is training to join the next generation of U.S. Naval Aviation Warfighters.

Tyler Valencia, a 2012 Independence High School graduate, is a student pilot with the "Golden Eagles" of Training Squadron based in Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas.

As a Navy student pilot, he is responsible for studying and learning how to fly and being prepared for each flight event.

"The best part of learning to fly is the point where you feel comfortable and confident in the aircraft where you can take it out solo and execute your event," Valencia said.

Valencia credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Bakersfield.