A snapshot in the life of the Globemasters illustrated the point. Late last year, in a single week, VR-56’s mission took them to four states and five countries in five days.
Departing Oceana, Virginia, Nov. 10, the squadron flew to Wales, United Kingdom for an overnight stop before proceeding to Sigonella, Italy to deliver a part to a deployed detachment of their sister squadron, the “Revelers” of VR-54. From Italy, they traveled to Iceland where they picked up Sailors from a detachment of the “Grey Knights” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 46 to bring them home from deployment. After a quick stop in Goose Bay, Canada they returned to the U.S. transporting passengers to Whidbey Island, Washington, and to Naval Air Stations North Island and Lemoore in California. Finally, they picked up more than 70 Sailors assigned to Carrier Strike Wing 3 from Fallon, Nevada for their return flight to Oceana, Nov. 14. While the schedule of this type of mission can at times be demanding, the accomplishments and experiences are rewarding for many members of the crew. “The thing that makes me the most proud to be assigned to VR-56 is the overall impact we have on the fleet,” said Full Time Support Aircrewman (Mechanical) 2nd Class Daniel Dougherty. “It feels great that I can immediately see the results of my own part in the process.” The hard work of crew members like Dougherty are what make these missions and the units they support possible. “I am continually amazed at the ingenuity and resilience of our Globemaster team,” said VR-56 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Beau Hufstetler. “This mission highlights the dynamic environment inherent in providing first-class, around-the-clock logistics support to Navy units worldwide. This crew, with support from the Globemaster team at home, exhausted all resources to execute these critical movements with excellence and professionalism, exemplifying what it takes to be the Navy’s finest air logistics support squadron.”
The Navy works worldwide supporting the United States and allies, protecting sea lanes, and providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief when needed. In the often fast-paced work supporting Navy missions around the globe, VR-56 and their sister FLSW squadrons both get to see the world and help make it a better place.
VR-56 is a Navy Reserve squadron assigned to Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve (CNAFR). CNAFR 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.
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.