Navy Reserve Unit Supports Exercise Sea Breeze 2021 in the Black Sea, Ukraine

20 July 2021

From Cmdr. Dan Cahill and Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command Public Affairs

Navy Reserve Maritime Partnership Program Detachment 513 led logistics support for Exercise Sea Breeze 2021, a multi-national maritime exercise held in the Black Sea and Ukraine and co-hosted by U.S. 6th Fleet and the Ukrainian Navy annually since 1997.
ODESA, Ukraine — Navy Reserve Maritime Partnership Program Detachment 513 led logistics support for Exercise Sea Breeze 2021, a multi-national maritime exercise held in the Black Sea and Ukraine and co-hosted by U.S.  6th Fleet and the Ukrainian Navy annually since 1997.

MPP Det 513 is an expeditionary reserve unit attached to Navy Operations Support Center (NOSC) Great Lakes, Ill., with capabilities designed to support specialized naval warfare training of allied and partner nations.

Information Systems Technician Second Class Sergio Ambelis Diaz, a Reserve Sailor assigned to MPP Det 513, was mobilized to participate in Sea Breeze 2021.

“When I joined the Navy Reserve, I never imagined I would have such an impact during my two weeks of annual training,” said Diaz. “Our Ukrainian partners were so gracious and thankful for our support and the opportunity to train together; U.S. Sailors were all treated as close friends at each and every event.”

Exercise Sea Breeze 2021 brought together troops, units and equipment from 32 countries across six continents, including 32 ships, 40 aircraft and 18 special units and dive teams, enhancing the interoperability of participating nations and strengthening maritime security within the region.

At the direction of U.S. 6th Fleet, MPP Det 513 led logistics support for the provisioning of more than 2.5 million liters of fuel and 30,000 meals, while also providing infrastructure and other sustainment for all 32 participating countries at 14 different locations throughout Ukraine. MPP Det 513 also integrated and trained with Ukrainian maritime forces.

Unit leaders credited the participation of highly trained and dedicated Navy Reserve Sailors with a wealth of professional expertise to the successful mission.

“I never realized that the U.S. Navy worked with so many international partners,” said Diaz. “Having the opportunity to meet and interact with over 30 countries was an experience I will never forget.”

MPP Det 513 is always looking for the best and brightest Sailors in the Navy Reserve. Reserve Sailors interested in serving with MPP Det 513 are invited to contact unit executive officer, Cmdr. Dave Shaulis, at David.Shaulis@navy.mil.

For more information about Exercise Sea Breeze 2021, visit https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/Seabreeze2021, or search “Exercise Sea Breeze” on Navy.mil, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
 
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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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