Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
LEMOORE, Calif.- A 2015 Owasso High School graduate and Owasso, Oklahoma, native is currently serving with a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron which flies one of the world’s most advanced warplanes.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Kristopher Lortz is an aviation structural mechanic with the Top Hatters of VFA 14, which operates out of Naval Air Station Lemoore. A Navy aviation structural mechanic is responsible for maintaining the hydraulics and structural components of the F/A 18.
“I was taught to be a decent human being growing up,” Lortz said. “It always makes things easier now that I am in the Navy.”
Members of VFA 14 work with the F/A 18 Super Hornet, one of the most advanced aircraft in the world. The Super Hornet takes off from and lands on Navy aircraft carriers at sea and is capable of conducting air-to-air combat as well as striking targets on land. It is approximately 61 feet long, has a loaded weight of 51,000 lbs., and a max speed of 1,190 miles per hour.
Operating from sea aboard aircraft carriers, the Super Hornet gives the Navy the power to protect America’s interests anywhere, at any time. The versatile jet has the ability to destroy targets located hundreds of miles inland, without the need to get another country’s permission to operate within its borders.
“Strike Fighter Wing, U. S. Pacific Fleet, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, is the heart of Naval Aviation,” said Capt. James S. Bates, Deputy Commodore, Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Pacific. “The sailors assigned to SFWP always exceed expectations and produce amazing results through team work and dedication to their department, squadron, the U.S. Navy and their family. Naval Aviation is a challenging occupation, but our sailors work day in and day out to provide fully mission capable aircraft and fully qualified aircrew to ensure leadership is able to answer national level tasking. I am humbled to be able to lead the sailors of SFWP and I am proud to call Lemoore my home.”
Lortz has military ties with family members who serve and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My brother-in-law is in the Navy,” said Lortz. “He convinced me to join. We served in the same command for two years.”
Lortz is also proud of his command.
“We have very good morale,” said Lortz. “Everyone looks out for each other.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Lortz and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means protecting our freedoms and being able to be a part of something bigger than myself,” Lortz said.
“My brother-in-law is in the Navy,” said Lortz. “He convinced me to join. We served in the same command for two years.”
Lortz is also proud of his command.
“We have very good morale,” said Lortz. “Everyone looks out for each other.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Lortz and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means protecting our freedoms and being able to be a part of something bigger than myself,” Lortz said.