Navy reservists across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East gathered around their computers to conduct their first virtual drill weekend with commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (CNE-A) and commander, U.S. 6th Fleet (C6F) Navy Reserve Detachment (Det) 130, May 2-3, 2020.
As a reserve unit, Det 130 meets in Naples quarterly to train and maintain military readiness and to provide support to the CNE-A/C6F area of operations. Europe has worked hard to slow the spread of the virus, including restricted movement, which has prompted Det 130 to determine new methods of training and support to their active duty counterparts. Part of the solution is to conduct drill virtually, which has pros and cons.
“I really enjoyed this opportunity to drill with Det 130 virtually,” said Capt. William Walton, commanding officer of Det 130. “For me, I truly missed seeing and talking to my unit in person, but this was a good way to connect. We were able to disseminate information and host a promotion ceremony.”
Each department also used the opportunity to hone critical skills despite the distance.
“Building the schedule for the weekend is something all department heads are involved in [before drill],” said Lt. Cmdr. Brian Burgess, Det 130 administrative officer. “I saw a good opportunity to offer a couple of training events that will help people to not only be better reservists, but also help them navigate some of the complexity caused by COVID-19.”
Virtual drill has been made easier thanks to the abundance of methods of communication to include virtual chats, e-mail, and messaging systems.
“Our department is responsible for making sure people get properly mustered – and paid – wherever they are in the world,” said Burgess. “With over 100 [service members] spread across three continents, the admin team really focused on how to make these processes flow smoothly.”
Being stationed in different locations throughout the CNE-A/C6F area of responsibility can be challenging, but the ability to reach each other using electronic means ensured a successful weekend.
“With an overseas unit, we have personnel in several time zones that are as much as 8 hours different from Italy,” said Walton. “This provides us the flexibility to reach our personnel. The overall experience was simply fantastic. I felt the connection with my unit and feel it can be a force multiplier for many years to come.”
Service members expressed their lessons learned from the virtual drilling experience.
“I think this weekend went surprisingly well,” said Burgess. “There are, of course, always ways we can improve, and I'm confident we'll continue to make this experience better for the next time. Personally, in my department we did eval debriefs with our E-5s via video conference. To get my Chief, my Leading Petty Officer, and my E-5s together all at once is a challenge even on a normal drill weekend. Being able to get together while spread between Spain, France, Italy, Bahrain, and [the United Arab Emirates] is an incredible capability that I'll definitely be carrying over to future debriefs.”
As they continue to tackle the obstacles COVID-19 presents, Det 130 will continue to charge forward.
Det 130, headquartered in Naples, Italy, is a U.S. Navy Reserve Detachment that supports CNE-A, C6F, to conduct the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
Rear Adm. Richard S. Lofgren serves as the Acting Chief of Navy Reserve and Acting Commander, Navy Reserve Force. In this role, he provides strategic leadership and oversight for Navy Reserve personnel and operations worldwide, supporting the readiness and integration of Reserve forces across the fleet. A Surface Warfare Officer, Rear Adm. Lofgren brings extensive operational and command experience across maritime expeditionary, coastal riverine, and surface warfare missions, including service in senior leadership roles supporting U.S. naval operations in multiple geographic combatant commands. His career reflects a sustained commitment to operational excellence, leadership development, and the effective employment of Navy Reserve forces in support of national security objectives.
Rear Adm. Luke Frost is a Surface Warfare Officer with extensive operational, command, and strategic leadership experience across the fleet. He has served in senior command roles at sea and ashore, including command of major surface combatants and amphibious forces operating throughout the Central Command and Indo-Pacific areas of responsibility. As a Flag Officer, Rear Adm. Frost served as Director, Reserve Warfare (OPNAV N0959) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, where he provided oversight and strategic guidance for Reserve force integration and readiness. His career reflects a deep commitment to warfighting excellence, joint operations, and the effective employment of naval forces in support of U.S. national security objectives.
Rear Admiral John Saccomando is a Naval Aviator with extensive operational, command, and strategic leadership experience across both active and reserve components. He has served in multiple senior command and flag assignments supporting naval aviation, expeditionary operations, and installation readiness, including leadership roles within U.S. Fleet Forces and Naval Air Forces Atlantic. A combat-experienced aviator, Rear Adm. Saccomando brings deep expertise in joint operations, force integration, and operational readiness, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing naval capabilities and supporting U.S. national security objectives worldwide.
Rear Adm. Greg Emery is a Navy Reserve flag officer with extensive leadership experience across naval oceanography, intelligence, and information warfare. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he has served in a wide range of operational, command, and staff assignments supporting global naval and joint operations, including senior leadership roles within Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Rear Adm. Emery brings deep expertise in intelligence integration, operational support, and information warfare, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing decision advantage and mission readiness across the fleet.
Force Master Chief Nicole C. Rios serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Navy Reserve, advising on the readiness, welfare, and professional development of approximately 59,000 Reserve Component Sailors supporting Navy, Marine Corps, and joint operations worldwide. A seasoned Command Master Chief, she brings extensive experience across aviation, expeditionary, and information warfare communities, with senior enlisted leadership assignments at the unit, regional, and force levels. Her career reflects a sustained commitment to Sailor advocacy, operational readiness, and the effective integration of Navy Reserve forces in support of national defense objectives.
Command Master Chief Lyons brings extensive operational and shore-based leadership experience across aviation, logistics, manpower, and readiness organizations within the Navy Reserve enterprise. Selected as a Command Master Chief in 2016, he has served in senior enlisted leadership roles at Navy Operational Support Center Pearl Harbor, Navy Personnel Command, Maritime Support Wing, Fleet Readiness Center Mid-West, and currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command. An Aviation Warfare Specialist, he is recognized for sustained excellence in leadership and readiness, earning multiple personal, joint, and unit awards throughout his career.
Command Master Chief Louvier enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1997 and brings extensive aviation maintenance and readiness leadership experience across multiple Fleet Logistics, Strike Fighter, Helicopter, and Reserve aviation commands. Selected as a Command Master Chief in 2015, he has served in senior enlisted leadership roles at VR-56, Commander, Tactical Support Wing, Fleet Readiness Center Reserve Mid-West, and currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve. An Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, he is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy and multiple executive leadership programs and has earned numerous personal and unit awards for sustained excellence in leadership and mission readiness.
Master Chief Jerry E. Dotson was born in Garden Grove, California, and raised in Sacramento. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 29, 2002, and completed recruit training and Electrician’s Mate “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois. His career spans operational, reserve, aviation, and senior enlisted leadership assignments, and he currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve.