Kingston Native Serves Country Aboard Naval Air Station

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CARTERSVILLE, GA -- A 2013 Woodland High School graduate and Kingston native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville, the largest base in the southeast region and third largest in the nation.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Tyler Gentry is a naval air crewman (operator) serving with Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11.

A naval air crewman is responsible for operating electronic warfare systems on the P-8 Poseidon.

“My job gives me the opportunity to fly and execute several types of missions all around the world,” said Gentry.

According to Navy officials, Wing 11’s history and reputation remain unparalleled since being commissioned on Aug. 15, 1942. Throughout the decades, Wing 11 has continued to fly combat missions in direct support of the troops on the ground and delivered traditional maritime capabilities, real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

Beginning in the 1960s, the P-3C Orion, a land-based, long-range anti-submarine warfare patrol aircraft, replaced the P-2V Neptune fleet. After 50 years of faithful service and the 50th anniversary of Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force, the P-3C Orion is being phased out of the fleet, according to Navy officials.

The P-8A is a modified Boeing air frame featuring a fully connected, state-of-the-art, open architecture mission system designed for long-range anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, Navy officials explained.

"The U.S. Navy sometimes asks the impossible of our people. It is sailors that make the impossible possible,” said Capt. Anthony Corapi, Commodore, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11. “Petty Officer Gentry is one example of a selfless servant of our nation. These heroes ask for very little recognition and perform their daily job with pride and professionalism defending freedom and our way of life around the world. Each member of the Navy's combat team is crucial to our success. I am very proud to have Petty Officer Gentry on our team."

Gentry is part of a crew that is transitioning to the P-8A Poseidon and preparing for deployment in the future.

“This command is great because we are a close knit team and all support one another,” said Gentry.

According to Navy officials, the Navy continues to meet milestone after milestone on this world-class mission and is providing an aircraft with superior capabilities to the men and women in uniform that will have a lasting legacy promoting a global maritime strategy.

“The Navy has taught me how to work with a diverse group of people to accomplish the mission at hand,” Gentry added.

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Image via Navy Office of Community Outreach