Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Lakota Lancaster grew up far from the ocean in rural Okmulgee, but now his work supports U.S. Navy missions and protects American interests worldwide.
From a young age, Lancaster developed an interest in aircraft and aviation. After graduating from Preston High School in 2021, he enlisted in the Navy and was assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 45, a maritime patrol squadron based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.
Known as the “Pelicans,” the squadron operates the P-8A Poseidon. As an aviation electronics technician, Lancaster maintains and repairs electronic systems on the aircraft. His work supports missions such as anti-surface warfare, intelligence gathering, surveillance and search-andrescue operations that rely on the aircraft’s radar, communication and sensor systems.
One of Lancaster’s favorite parts of the Navy is the opportunity to travel.
“You get to go everywhere,” said Lancaster. “It doesn’t matter if you’re on a fixed-wing platform or a boat.”
During Lancaster’s time in the U.S. Navy, he traveled to seven countries, collaborating with allied partners during exercises such as Sea Dragon 2026 in Guam. Lancaster plans to continue serving and hopes to advance through the enlisted ranks with the goal of becoming a master chief petty officer.
Sea Dragon is a U.S.-led, multinational exercise designed to train anti-submarine warfare tactics and to operate together in response to maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
