Thursday, October 18, 2018

Houston Native Serves Aboard one of Navy’s Most Advanced Warships

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Senior Chief Gary Ward

NORFOLK, Va. – A 2017 Glenda Dawson High School graduate and Houston native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Mason.

Navy Seaman Lance Setliff is an operations specialist aboard the warship, based in Norfolk, Virginia. USS Mason is named after Secretary of the Navy John Young Mason and Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient Ensign Newton Henry Mason.

A Navy operations specialist is responsible for watching for the safe navigation, ship-to-ship communications, and keeping an accurate record of ship movement as it relates to the fleet.

“I like learning from my peers and getting encouragement from other sailors,” Setliff said.

Setliff credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Houston.

“Everyone I interacted with back home I consider close relationships," Setliff said. "I took this same mentality with me in the Navy as I interact with other sailors. Relationships are important to me. Back home I have many close friends that I learned from. I like to maintain that same attitude of building relationships on the ship and in the Navy.”

U.S. Navy sailors, like Setliff, are stationed both stateside and on the high seas aboard surface ships around the world. USS Mason is one of more than 60 ships on the east coast of the United States as part of Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.

U.S. Navy ships are deployed globally, and their presence helps the Navy control the sea. Sea control is vital to project power, secure common areas, deter aggression and assure allies when and where desired.

Due to its extensive combat capability, the Mason is able to fire Tomahawk Cruise Missiles and other weapons as part of sustained combat operations against targets on and below the sea, in addition to hitting targets hundreds of miles over the land.

The ship is equipped with the Aegis Combat System, which integrates the ship’s electronic sensors and weapons systems to defend against anti-ship missile threats. The ship’s air search and fire control radar provides continuous search and tracking of hundreds targets simultaneously.

The crew of more than 300 sailors build a strong fellowship while working alongside each other. The sailors are highly motivated, and quickly adapt to changing conditions as part of a busy life of specialized work, watches and drills.

“What I like about serving on a destroyer is the close-knit community," Setliff said. "It feels like family.”

Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Setliff is most proud of his interaction with a senior chief who made an impact on him.

“He really motivated and encouraged me," Setliff said. "He inspired me with the idea that I can do anything I set my mind to.”

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Setliff and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, one that will provide a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.

“Serving in the Navy means being able to protect my family and friends back home and knowing that they are safe brings joy to my heart," Setliff added. "I consider myself very patriotic and I'm proud to say I'm a Navy sailor.”