A 2007 Allentown Central Catholic High School graduate and Allentown native is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of the staff assigned to Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One Naval reserve unit, supporting one of the country’s most versatile combat ships.

Lt. Brendan Shay, a Navy surface ware officer, is responsible for maintenance of the LCS ships, training and qualifications.

“I enjoy working with the sailors,” Shay said. “It’s gratifying to help them advance, learn about their lives and better their careers.”

Shay credits success in the Navy to lessons he learned in Allentown.

“Growing up in Allentown, my dad did Navy ROTC. I had some background knowledge as to what being a surface warfare officer involved,” he said. “I also went to a Catholic school and learned to study hard. That has helped my Navy career.”

COMLCSRON ONE NR is the Reserve unit working alongside its active duty counterparts at COMLCSRON ONE to man, train and equip LCS, in addition to leading Navy-wide change to support the minimally manned rotational crews and mission packages for littoral combat ships.

Designed to defeat threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft, littoral combat ships are a bold departure from traditional Navy shipbuilding programs, supporting multiple missions, such as surface warfare, mine warfare, or anti-submarine warfare.

The LCS sustainment strategy was developed to take into account the unique design and manning of LCS and its associated mission modules.

“I continue to be impressed with the high caliber of sailor that the LCS community attracts,” said Capt. Matthew McGonigle, Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One. “When these sailors join LCS, they already know the reputation of our ships as fast, agile, maneuverable and soon to be the largest class of vessel on the waterfront. They also know the credentials of our sailors as being highly trained, talented, mature and versatile. So, the ships’ unique capabilities and the high quality of LCS sailors appeals to those who are eager to be a part of a community which affords them qualification opportunities and chances to excel that they might not get anywhere else.”

Through innovative planning, the design of systems, and crew requirements, the LCS platform allows the fleet to increase forward presence and optimize its personnel, improving the ability of the Navy to be where it matters, when it matters.

“We have a real good foundation of sailors who are motivated and really want to serve,” Shay said. “It’s nice being able to get out on the waterfront and support the LCS ships and their mission.”

As part of that LCS community, Shay said he and the other sailors of the unit are helping to build a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, including helping to develop new war-fighting capabilities to continue the Navy’s success on the world’s oceans.

“I’m very proud to serve here,” Shay said. “I was originally adopted in Peru and came over to the United States when I was a couple months old. I’ve been very lucky growing up here and I have a lot of pride in my country.”