Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) hosted the 2024 Female Aviator Career Training Symposium (FACTS) Sept. 11-12 on Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. The symposium served as a forum for women in Naval Aviation across all ranks to discuss career and life topics, provide feedback to senior leadership, seek mentorship, and promote health and resilience. This year’s theme was "The NEXT 50 years of Women in Naval Aviation: Ready Resilient Warfighters." Vice Adm. Dan Cheever, commander, Naval Air Forces, delivered the opening remarks at the start of the symposium. “World-class aviators deserve world-class training, mentorship, and resources,” Cheever said. “We are empowering leaders at all levels to operate in complex environments, and build warfighters ready for combat.” The first day consisted of a flag panel, presided by Vice Adm. Cheever; Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, Chief of Navy Reserve; Rear Adm. Richard Brophy Jr., Chief of Naval Air Training; Rear Adm. Brett Mietus, commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group; and Rear Adm. Brad Dunham, commander Naval Air Force Reserve. “Our goal is to make great warfighters out of everyone here,” said Rear Adm. Douglas Verissimo, Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic. “In order to do that, we need to make the cockpit a place we can all work and love.” In addition to perspectives from senior aviation leaders, a panel of women currently serving as squadron commanding officers led a candid discussion on personal insights and overcoming various challenges within their roles and throughout their careers. "I had signed my resignation letter and put it in the drawer,” said CDR Katie Lunser, commanding officer of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 50. “I knew I wanted to do something different, so I started looking at those I knew who weren't in the military. The more I looked around, the more I realized I was already doing something that was different, and it was something I enjoyed." Day two of the symposium focused on resilience, with Vice Adm. Lacore sharing personal and professional perspectives on the topic. A helicopter pilot, military spouse, mother of six, and career reserve officer, she highlighted pivotal decision points in her career and lessons learned. “The foundation of resilience lies in connections—the mutual regard we share and the communities we build,” said Lacore. “As you continue your journey, remember that resilience isn’t just about enduring; it’s about evolving. It’s about forging ahead, grounded in purpose and determination as a part of your community.” To conclude the symposium, a team of medical professionals from Naval Medical Center San Diego answered important questions on women’s health and health matters specific to women in Naval Aviation. Cmdr. Susan Malboeuf, CNAF force psychologist, gave a presentation on the crucial role of psychology in operational effectiveness. 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of women in Naval Aviation. Building on previous years’ symposiums, FACTS 2024 shifted from honoring the trailblazers of the past to extending their legacy by focusing on the skills, training, foundations and fortitude required of the decisive decade ahead. As the type commander for Naval Aviation, Commander, Naval Air Forces’ mission is to “Man, Train and Equip deployable, combat-ready Naval Aviation 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.