Not every vacation leaves you thinking about work but for shipfitter Hector Casiano, his recent trip to San Diego did just that, serving as a powerful reminder of the work that has shaped his life. But Hector didn’t just send his son off on deployment to Japan — he watched him board USS Tripoli (LHA 7), a ship he helped build with his own hands.
We sat down with Hector to talk about his shipbuilding journey at Ingalls and how his son is helping fuel his purpose.
How does it feel knowing your son will sail on a ship built at Ingalls? Does that give you even more purpose at work?
Knowing I helped build the ship my son is now sailing on—and that he’ll likely serve alongside many others built at Ingalls—brings me so much joy. That sense of purpose not only boosts engagement, it fuels motivation and productivity.
How long have you worked at Ingalls? What led you to this career field?
I’ve been at Ingalls for 16 years now. I chose this field of work because I was confident in my ability to learn the craft and be great at it.
What is your responsibility as a shipfitter?
My responsibilities consist of fabrication, cutting and shaping metal, welding and assembling structural parts according to blueprints and specifications.
What is your favorite part about your job?
The sense of accomplishment in seeing a finished ship. We’re forever connected to history by producing these ships — these warfighters. I’ve always taken great pride in my craft, even more so now that my son is helping protect our freedom.
What does this moment mean to you and your family?
This moment means everything to me and my family. After graduating, my son took it upon himself to find a recruiter. Once he passed his test, we learned he had enlisted in the Navy. He made an adult decision, and we’re so incredibly proud of him. Getting orders to sail on LHA 7 was a full-circle moment for all of us.
USS Tripoli (LHA 7) departed Naval Base San Diego on May 19 and arrived in Sasebo, Japan, on June 23 to join the U.S. 7th Fleet’s Forward Deployed Naval Forces. Tripoli replaced USS America (LHA 6) — another Ingalls-built ship — as part of a scheduled rotation of forces in the Indo-Pacific.
LHA 7 is the second America-class amphibious assault ship built for the U.S. Navy. The ship is named in honor of the U.S. Marine Corps victory against Tripoli at the Battle of Derna during the First Barbary War in 1805. LHA 7 was delivered to the U.S. Navy in 2020.