Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
NORFOLK, Va. – A 2003 Littlestown High School graduate and Littlestown, Pennsylvania, native is serving with a U.S. Navy team that supports one of the Navy’s most advanced aircraft, one with an important mission: keeping watch over the skies and oceans of the world.
Chief Petty Officer Keith Lentzner is an aviation electrian's mate serving with MQ-25 Fleet Introduction Team, which operates out of Norfolk, Virginia. As a Navy aviation electrian's mate, Lentzner is responsible for the integration of the MQ-25 drone into the Navy.
Lentzner credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Littlestown.
“I was taught to put yourself in somebody's else's shoes and you can understand their perspective,” said Lentzner. “Someone's experiences don’t direclty relate to you. You have to overcome and adapt in the Navy.”
Members of the team plan, track and execute the introduction of the Stingray to the fleet to include training, personnel, supplies, and facilities.
The Stingray will be an aerial refueling drone that will deliver a refueling capability to make better use of the Navy’s combat strike fighters and extend the range of aircraft carriers. It will enhance carrier capability and versatility for the Joint Forces Commander through the integration of a persistent, sea-based aerial refueling unmanned aircraft system into the carrier air wing.
“I have a direct influence on what the sailors of tomorrow will do for the Navy,” said Lentzner.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
Lentzner is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Lentzner is most proud of making a working team excel at the mission.
“The spirit of success in the Navy isn't just about one person it really helps when everyone works hard,” said Lentzner.
According to Navy officials, with just a handful of sailors assigned to the team, jobs are highly specialized and demand each sailor’s utmost efforts to keep each part of the Hawkeye and Greyhound communities running smoothly. This includes training new aviators, maintaining airframes and engines, or handling and flying the aircraft.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Lentzner 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 to me has meant that through my perspective and my way of life I have been able to positively influence others to be better at their jobs and even themselves,” added Lentzner.
Lentzner credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Littlestown.
“I was taught to put yourself in somebody's else's shoes and you can understand their perspective,” said Lentzner. “Someone's experiences don’t direclty relate to you. You have to overcome and adapt in the Navy.”
Members of the team plan, track and execute the introduction of the Stingray to the fleet to include training, personnel, supplies, and facilities.
The Stingray will be an aerial refueling drone that will deliver a refueling capability to make better use of the Navy’s combat strike fighters and extend the range of aircraft carriers. It will enhance carrier capability and versatility for the Joint Forces Commander through the integration of a persistent, sea-based aerial refueling unmanned aircraft system into the carrier air wing.
“I have a direct influence on what the sailors of tomorrow will do for the Navy,” said Lentzner.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
Lentzner is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Lentzner is most proud of making a working team excel at the mission.
“The spirit of success in the Navy isn't just about one person it really helps when everyone works hard,” said Lentzner.
According to Navy officials, with just a handful of sailors assigned to the team, jobs are highly specialized and demand each sailor’s utmost efforts to keep each part of the Hawkeye and Greyhound communities running smoothly. This includes training new aviators, maintaining airframes and engines, or handling and flying the aircraft.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Lentzner 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 to me has meant that through my perspective and my way of life I have been able to positively influence others to be better at their jobs and even themselves,” added Lentzner.