Sailors assigned to the Support Equipment (SE)/ Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) Test and Evaluation Division at Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst play a pivotal role supporting the warfighter. Now, thanks to Aviation Boatswain's Mate Second Class Philip Ringgenberg and some of his fellow sailors, the water tower near their office is a symbol of the pride they take in their work, and a reminder of their "ALRE All Day" mission.  

Ringgenberg admitted that when he came to Lakehurst a little less than three years ago after a six-year tour on USS George Washington (CVN 73), all he really knew about the location was from a friend telling him there were trees in the area that would remind him of being back home in Iowa. Now leaving soon for his next assignment, Ringgenberg said he has made a lot of good memories and is proud of the work he has done at Lakehurst, including the work on the water tower.   

"When I first came here as a third-class, I helped out and made sure the maintenance was done. But as time went on, my knowledge grew, and I stepped up in more of a leadership role once I made second-class," he said. "Now, it's to the point where I'm leaving soon, so I'm doing what I can to pass the knowledge that I've learned here on to the people who will be here for the next three years." 

Ringgenberg's dedication to passing on his knowledge is a testament to the continuity and growth within the ALRE team. Lt. Donald Schmidt, Lakehurst’s ALRE Test Site Maintenance Officer said Ringgenberg’s passion for his work will continue to be an asset for him as he moves forward in his career.  

“ABE2 Ringgenberg embodies the grit and true dedication it takes to be a successful Aviation Boatswain mate in today’s Navy,” Schmidt said. “His skills and passion for the job are a recipe for success in our Navy, and I won’t be surprised if he returns to NAWCAD Lakehurst as a Chief or a Bosun to lead Sailors in all matters of ALRE.” 

While painting the water tower has been discussed previously, Ringgenberg said their busy testing schedule prevented any plans to move forward. However, now that the work is done, he said the water tower can inspire the Sailors he will leave behind and those to come while also paying tribute to the many who served before him. 

Painting the water tower is not the only time Ringgenberg's Iowa childhood came in handy for his team. Earlier this spring, during a critical testing period, Ringgenberg said a family of deer nearly brought the operation to a halt. After seeing two adult deer walk across the runway, Ringgenberg said he found two baby deer still in the area. Not wanting to endanger the animals or delay the testing, Ringgenberg said he carried the baby deer safely across the runway, and had help from some civilians at the testing site to corral them into the woods.  

"It was kind of nice. It was one of those situations where you hear these funny, crazy stories, and now I have one of those stories," he said. "It's like, you wouldn't believe it until you saw it, but I was wrestling two baby deer while I was in the military."