On Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ), the United States’ only permanent military base on the continent of Africa, over 5,000 deployed service members live and work every day. When they take their morning showers with hot water in clean restrooms and then walk to their workspaces on safe, debris-free sidewalks, they may not put much thought into the work it takes to keep things that way.
For Sailors like Construction Electrician 2nd Linh Hoang, a Navy Reserve Sailor from Orange County, California, currently deployed to CLDJ where he is a part of the Public Works Department’s Facilities Maintenance and Sustainment (FM&S) branch, if he is doing his job right, you may not realize he is doing anything at all.
As a member of the Construction Electrician (CE) rate in the U.S. Navy, Hoang belongs to a community of Sailors known as Seabees. Seabee units, or construction battalions, have a storied history within the U.S. Navy. They are responsible for creating infrastructure to meet the needs of the Navy’s forward operations in any environment.
“I am proud to be a Seabee,” said Hoang. “It’s like being a part of a small group within a big group. Every Seabee’s skillset is different, but there are similarities. There are different assignments all around the world for Seabee units.”
Today’s Navy is a culturally diverse work environment. In many ways, it is reflective of U.S. society with many communities coming together to build a greater whole. Hoang’s own family immigrated to the United States when he was 12 years old.
“I was born in Vietnam,” said Hoang. “After the Vietnam War, my grandfather was imprisoned for eight years. He eventually got out and was sponsored to come to the U.S. About 20 years later, he was able to sponsor my parents. They took the test and became citizens, and since I was under 18 at the time, I was able to become a citizen too.”
Despite the difficulties one might face as an immigrant to the U.S., Hoang has achieved many successes throughout his journey, and he has become a valued member of the Navy.
“I’m sure he had many challenges he had to fight through between learning a new language and learning a new culture,” said U.S. Navy Builder 1st Class Michael Randall, CLDJ’S FM&S branch head and Hoang’s immediate supervisor. “He has pushed forward, joined the Seabees, earned an AA [Associate of Arts degree] in Business Administration, and is about to graduate from California State University Fullerton with a BA [Bachelor of Arts degree] in Finance Concentration. Through our short time together he has gained my upmost respect and gratitude, because without his dedication to his work and others this place would not be the same.”
Camp Lemonnier is a forward operating site supporting joint operations managed by the U.S. Navy and is the only enduring U.S. military base on the African continent. Djibouti has been a partner of the U.S. military since 2002 when the installation on the south side of the Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport was formally stood up as the headquarters for Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). Camp Lemonnier is now operated by Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central (EURAFCENT). Contracts awarded to improve Camp Lemonnier provide for enduring, yet modern facilities to support improved quality of life, mission readiness, and safety of daily operations.
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.