A native of Mitchell, South Dakota Captain Letcher enlisted on 6 November 1997 and completed Naval Nuclear Power training as a Machinist's Mate. He commissioned through the NROTC program at Iowa State University, graduating with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 2003. He earned an executive Masters of Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School and is a graduate of the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School.

 Operational assignments include service with the “Golden Eagles” of Patrol Squadron NINE (VP-9) in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii deploying to FIFTH and SEVENTH Fleets in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM, Department Head with the “War Eagles” of Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN (VP-16), deploying to SEVENTH and SIXTH Fleets; and Command of the “Fighting Marlins” of Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO (VP-40) deploying to SIXTH Fleet during their first P-8A deployment.
 
Shore and staff assignments include Operational Test Pilot, P-8A NATOPS Instructor, and P-8A Assistant Operational Test Director at Air Test and Evaluation Squadron ONE (VX-1) in Patuxent River, MD during P-8A Initial Operational Test and Evaluation, P-8A Fleet Replacement School Instructor Pilot, P-8A Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Pilot Fleet Instructor Under Training (FIUT) lead and MPRWS Tactics Department Head at the VP-30 P-8A Fleet Integration Team (FIT) and Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School (MPRWS) in Jacksonville, FL, Deputy Branch Head and Assistant Maritime Requirements Officer for the Director, Air Warfare (OPNAV N98), Executive Assistant to the Commander, Naval Air Forces, and Secretary of Defense Executive Fellow at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. 

Captain Letcher assumed duties as Deputy Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing TEN in August 2025. 

Captain Letcher has logged over 2,800 flight hours, with over 1,000 hours in both the P-3C and P-8A.  His personal awards include three Meritorious Service Medals, Air Medal (6th Strike Flight), three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various campaign, service, and unit awards.

 

Last Updated: 27 August 2025