Krystyn Pecora

The Navy’s venerable T-45 Goshawk first flew in 1988 and has been in service since the early 1990s. The aircraft on which it is based—the BAE Hawk trainer—has been in service since the early 1970s. The Goshawk was originally manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, but Boeing took over when the two companies merged in 1997.

It is no secret that the Navy is religious about adhering to mealtimes. And not just special meals, such as a holiday feast. In fact, the “Thanksgiving” menu is served at least once during the 30-day cycle, sometimes twice, and, if you’re lucky, with both ham and turkey. Perhaps this adherence is because on a submarine or a ship, the day is structured around the watches and thus the pre-watch and post-watch meals. Perhaps it is because mealtimes break up the monotony of a long deployment.

Lieutenant Commander Krystyn Pecora, U.S. Coast Guard, is executive officer of the USCGC Seneca (WMEC-906). A permanent cutterman, she has commanded the cutter Sitkinak (WPB-1329), served two tours on the Sherman (WHEC-720), is a plankowner of the Bertholf (WMSL-750), and served as external affairs officer for the Fifth Coast Guard District. She holds a bachelor’s in civil engineering from the Coast Guard Academy and a master’s in media and communications studies from Florida State University.