By
Kayla Good, Navy Office of Community
Outreach
SAN DIEGO – A 2015 McAlester High School
graduate and Kiowa, Oklahoma native is serving
in the U.S. Navy as part of a team supporting one of the country’s most
versatile combat ships.
Petty
Officer 3rd Class Regina Leuty
is
a logistics specialist
and a member of the Logistics Support Team
which supports
both variants of littoral combat ships
based in San Diego.
As a Navy logistics specialist she is responsible for running reports
for losses and gains each month and ensuring all materials are tracked.
“I like that I am in charge of my own program,” said
Leuty. “I like having that sense of responsibility.”
The LCS platform has a unique manning concept called
“3-2-1,” where three crews serve aboard two different littoral combat ships,
one of which is deployed. This
innovative manning concept allows the LCS to spend
more time forward deployed without overtaxing the crew, according to Navy
officials.
Designed to
defeat threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft, littoral combat ships are a bold departure from
traditional Navy shipbuilding programs. The LCS sustainment strategy was
developed to take into account the unique design and manning of LCS and its
associated mission modules.
“This is a really good command to work for because I am
able to learn more about the fleet and I get the opportunity to advance in my
career,” said Leuty.
According to
Navy officials, the path to becoming an LCS sailor is a long one. Following an 18-month training pipeline,
sailors have to qualify on a simulator that is nearly identical to the ship. This intense and realistic training pipeline
allows sailors to execute their roles and responsibilities immediately upon
stepping onboard.
"Sailors that work aboard this platform are expected to
be capable of performing a variety of tasks to assist in the completion of the
LCS mission," said Capt. Warren R Buller, Commander, LCS Squadron One.
"The training that is required of our sailors is
rigorous and difficult. This ensures that they are mission ready to defend and
protect America at all times."
As a service
member supporting the LCS mission, Leuty explained they are building a legacy that
will last beyond their lifetimes. Sailors know how important it is for the Navy
to develop new war fighting capabilities to continue their success on the
world’s oceans.
“I really wanted to do
something important with my life and I knew the Navy would be a good place to
start,” added Leuty.
Through
innovative planning, the design of systems, and crew requirements, the LCS
platform allows the fleet to increase forward presence and optimize its
personnel, improving the ability of the Navy to be where it matters, when it
matters.