Severna Park Native Flying High In The Navy

A Severna Park native is making his childhood dreams come true.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Zach St. Lawrence, a 2013 Severna Park High School graduate, was commissioned into the Navy two years ago.

“I joined the Navy because I always wanted to serve my country,” St. Lawrence said. "It was my childhood dream to fly aircraft for the Navy.”

Skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those found in Severna Park.

“I learned that teamwork and initiative is very important from my hometown,” St. Lawrence said. "We have to rely on each other. The camaraderie here is like a tight-knit family atmosphere."

St. Lawrence serves as a student pilot with Training Squadron 21, a strike jet training squadron, located at Naval Air Station Kingsville in Texas.

“I enjoy the camaraderie between students and instructors here,” St. Lawrence said.

The air training program focuses on the increased complexity of today’s aircraft. After successfully completing the rigorous program, naval aviators earn their coveted “Wings of Gold.”

After graduation, pilots continue their training to learn how to fly a specific aircraft, such as the Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter attack jet, the F-35 Lightning strike fighter jet or the SH-60 Seahawk helicopter. These aircraft take off from and land on Navy aircraft carriers at sea.

Navy aircraft carriers are designed for a 50-year service life. When the air wing is embarked, the ship carries more than 70 attack fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft, all of which take off from and land aboard the carrier at sea. With more than 5,000 sailors serving aboard, the aircraft carrier is a self-contained mobile airport.

Aircraft carriers are often the first response to a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans.

Since USS Langley's commissioning 100 years ago, the nation's aircraft carriers and embarked carrier air wings have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.

"The aircraft carrier is our U.S. Navy's centerpiece, our flagship, and a constant reminder to the rest of the world of our enduring maritime presence and influence," said Rear Admiral James P. Downey, program executive officer for aircraft carriers. "These ships touch every part of our Navy's mission to project power, ensure sea control, and deter our adversaries."

With more than 90 percent of trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the U.S. is directly linked to ready sailors and a strong Navy.

Serving in the Navy means St. Lawrence is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy is important because it preserves peace, freedom and democracy for the projection of power,” St. Lawrence said. "It protects fair trade for the U.S. and their allies."

St. Lawrence has many opportunities for achievements during his military service.

“My proudest accomplishment is completing Primary Flight Training School,” St. Lawrence said. “That took me one step closer to becoming a pilot.”

St. Lawrence is grateful to loved ones for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I would love to thank my wife,” St. Lawrence said. “She is always very supportive of me."

Photo by Stephanie Fox/Navy Office of Community Outreach

Lieutenant Junior Grade Zach St. Lawrence, a 2013 Severna Park High School graduate, fulfilled a childhood dream by joining the Navy two years ago.