Boyceville native, Lucas Minor, serves aboard Navy floating airport – U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower

By Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Beverly Taylor, Navy Office of Community Outreach

NORFOLK, Va. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Lucas Minor, a native of Boyceville, Wisconsin, is one of more than 5,000 sailors serving aboard the self-contained mobile airport, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Minor graduated in 2011 from Boyceville High School.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Boyceville.

“Growing up in Boyceville taught me about the loyalty of family,” said Minor. “Boyceville is a close-knit community and we take care of each other just like in the military. Also, I have been wrestling since preschool and that taught me a lot about discipline and hard work. If you are willing to put in the hard work it will always pay, even if it isn’t always right away.”

Minor joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Minor serves as an air traffic controller.

“Both of my parents were in the Navy back in the ’80s,” said Minor. “I grew up listening to stories that they told and I knew deep down that I needed to also be a part of the tradition. I didn’t join right after high school because I had a good job, but I knew if I didn’t join, I would regret it.”

Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s Naval forces. For more than 100 years, they have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.

According to Navy officials, aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first response in a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere in the world. In addition, no other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility and the combat capability of its air wing.

“Mighty IKE” is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier named for Dwight D. Eisenhower, one of only four five-star U.S. Army generals and a hero of World War II who would later serve as the 34th president of the United States. Homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, the carrier is longer than three football fields at 1,092 feet. The ship is 252 feet wide and weighs more than 100,000 tons.

This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola, Florida. Six of them, known as “The First Six,” earned their “Wings of Gold” one year later. Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally, and today women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aircraft. According to Navy officials, our nation and our Navy are stronger because of their service.

Serving in the Navy means Minor 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 gives a sense of security to your family and everyone in the nation,” said Minor. “Literally being a floating airport, you can be anywhere around the world and give support.”

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.

Minor has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I volunteered to go on a deployment with the USS George H. W. Bush last year for six months,” said Minor. “I was able to get qualified during this deployment and get a designator as a carrier air traffic control center (CATCC). At the time, there were only four second classes in my rate that were designated as a CATCC in the whole Navy.”

As Minor and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.

“Serving in the Navy teaches me and challenges me a lot,” said Minor. “Every day is always something to overcome, even if it is a small task, and I like coming together as a team to solve problems. This sets you up more for success in and out of the military.”

Minor is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank my parents and my sister,” added Minor. “I thought I would be too old to join, but they were there by my side the whole time and encouraged me to get to where I am today.”