Navy Reserve Sailors assigned to the Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic Maintenance Execution Team (CNSL MET) completed various projects aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), Oct. 17-19. The presence of Reserve Sailors on the waterfront comes after more than a year where, as a COVID-19-mitigation measure, they were not permitted to conduct drill weekends aboard ships, explains Lt. Cmdr. Elizabeth McGuinnis, CNSL Reserve Program Director. “They weren’t allowed to go to the ships during [the worst months of the pandemic]. They would either drill via video conference or do their drill weekends at their Navy Reserve Center (NRC),” she said. McGuinnis is in charge of 41 Navy Reserve units spanning the eastern half of the United States, and about 1,850 Reserve Sailors total. She coordinates with the units’ commanding officers and Reserve program directors to organize budgeting, manage support requirements, and help execute operations. Machinist’s Mate Chief Ryan Alvarado, Deputy CNSL Reserve Program Director, detailed how the CNSL MET’s Reserve drill blocks are designed, typically starting on weekdays when most of ships’ crews are aboard. This helps build trust between the two groups, enabling Reserve Sailors to do more work in a short amount of time. “[The Reserve Sailors belong to] a flex drilling unit. They do Thursday through Sunday [on a typical drill weekend],”explains Alvarado. “That gets them the handshake with the crew, which gives the crew the warm and fuzzies, and they’re able to build that relationship and build that trust so over the weekend [Reserve Sailors] are able to independently steam and knock everything out.” During the most recent CNSL MET drill weekend aboard Mesa Verde, a mix of rates including gunner’s mates, enginemen, operations specialists, and boatswain’s mates contributed a total of 400 man hours to complete different projects. These included preparations for the Board of Inspection and Survey assessment, work on rigid-hull inflatable boat support systems and replenishment-at-sea stations, and maintenance on the ship’s SPS-48 air search radar. Prior to Mesa Verde, Reserve Sailors worked aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) in September, and the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) in August, which was the first month post-COVID-19 Reserve members could drill aboard ships. Selecting the ships that will receive Reserve assistance has its own coordination process to ensure that help gets to where it’s most needed. The Surface Maintenance Operations Center (S-MOC) of CNSL plays a big part in pairing Reserve Sailors to ships, explained McGuinnis. “I meet with the S-MOC director [Lt. Cmdr. Carleigh Gregory] prior to assigning the ships that the CNSL MET supports,” she said. The work of the S-MOC helps point to big-ticket repair items or casualties that require the most urgent attention, or more manpower. Cmdr. Kevin Burel, commanding officer of the CNSL MET, is more than happy to help get Reserve Sailors in his command back to ships for drill weekends. “Being able to return to ships, work in their rates and restore that more tangible connection to their active-duty counterparts has been a huge positive for our Sailors,” he said. “We look forward to partnering with more ships and getting a lot more projects done in the future.” SURFLANT mans, trains and equips assigned surface forces and shore activities, ensuring a capable force for conducting prompt and sustained operations in support of United States national interests. The SURFLANT force is composed of nearly 80 ships and more than 30 shore commands. For more SURFLANT news and photos, visit facebook.com/SURFLANT, www.surflant.usff.navy.mil, and Twitter - @surflant.
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.