Home for Christmas: HSM-60 DET 2 Jaguars Return from Deployment

22 December 2020

From By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chelsea Milburn

The “Jaguars” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 60, Detachment 2 (HSM-60 DET 2) returned the week of Christmas from a two-month deployment operating independently aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) in the U.S. Second Fleet (C2F) and U.S. Sixth Fleet (C6F) areas of responsibility.


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The “Jaguars” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 60, Detachment 2 (HSM-60 DET 2) returned the week of Christmas from a two-month deployment operating independently aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) in the U.S. Second Fleet (C2F) and U.S. Sixth Fleet (C6F) areas of responsibility.

The detachment integrated seamlessly into the daily operations of San Jacinto's team, which included a United States Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment and Maritime Security Response Team.

HSM-60 routinely deploys in support of Global Force Management tasking for the Helicopter Maritime Strike community, specifically for its core mission sets of Anti-Submarine Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, as well as Airborne Use of Force in support of the Counter-Illicit Trafficking missions.

“HSM-60's detachments have proven that we can operate commendably anytime, anywhere, and in any mission — even in the face of a global pandemic which hampered operations at home and abroad,” said Lt. Cmdr. Brian Berumen, HSM-60 DET 2 officer in charge. “I’m proud of what this team has overcome to succeed and execute our mission. I’m happy to say that we not only accomplished our mission and supported a warship at sea, but we also got our Sailors home in time for Christmas. Mission first and people always — it's the HSM-60 way.”

Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Jasmine Miller, the detachment’s leading petty officer, echoed Berumen’s sentiments on the resilience of their Sailors.

“Life on deployment is a rewarding challenge,” Jasmine said. “I am most proud of our team because no matter what challenges arose, they were relentless, and everyone came together to ensure the challenge was met. It didn’t matter what their rate or rank was, we all had one goal in mind, to ensure failure was not an option.”

Miller continued to describe how the bonds she and other detachment Sailors were able to build with the crew and others aboard San Jacinto helped keep morale high while deployed through Thanksgiving and the beginning of the holiday season.

“My most memorable moment would have to be playing UNO on the mess decks with my new friends from the USS San Jacinto,” she said. “I laughed so hard that night that I lost my voice the entire next day. All in all, missing time with friends and family during the holidays was the hardest thing we had to overcome, but the comradery we built over these past couple of months with amazing people is something I will cherish forever.”

With their accomplishments on deployment behind them and fond memories with new friends to carry with them, Sailors of HSM-60 DET 2 will have plenty of stories to share with loved ones as they celebrate the holidays at home.

HSM-60 is a Navy Reserve Squadron assigned to the Maritime Support Wing of Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve. Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve mans, trains and equips the Naval Air Force Reserve in order to provide enduring operational support and strategic depth to Naval forces that win in combat.

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Acting Chief of Navy Reserve, Acting, Commander, Navy Reserve Force

Rear Admiral Richard S. Lofgren

Acting Chief of Navy Reserve, Acting, Commander, Navy Reserve Force

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.

 

 
Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command, Deputy Commander, Navy Reserve Force

Rear Admiral Luke A. Frost

Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command, Deputy Commander, Navy Reserve Force

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.

 

 
Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve/Deputy Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Pacific Fleet/Vice Commander, Naval Air Forces

Rear Admiral John Saccomando

Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve/Deputy Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Pacific Fleet/Vice Commander, Naval Air Forces

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.

 

 
Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve

Rear Admiral Gregory K. Emery

Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve

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.

 

 
Navy Reserve Force Master Chief

Force Master Chief Nicole C. Rios

Navy Reserve Force Master Chief

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, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command

Master Chief Robert W. Lyons II

Command Master Chief, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command

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, Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve

Master Chief Van "Chris" Louvier

Command Master Chief, Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve

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

Command Master Chief, Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve

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.

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