Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) Reserve Component held a change-of-command ceremony at the National Naval Aviation Museum aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, Oct. 9.
Capt. Rigel “Pep” Pirrone relieved Rear Adm. William L. “Wilbur” Angermann as commanding officer and Angermann also promoted during the ceremony.
Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve Rear Adm. Scott "Jonser" Jones served as guest speaker. He praised Angermann for his leadership, keeping the team’s focus on training during a challenging year.
“Since its inception, Naval Reserve aviation has been tightly aligned with the objectives of the Active Component,” Jones said. “Our Squadron Augment Units provide an unparalleled level of flexibility and a graduate level of experience that compliments the active duty CNATRA instructor cadre. Wilbur has done a superb job of making CNATRA the world-class organization that it is today, and Pep – while you have big shoes to fill, I know you will continue to produce the next generation of Pilots and NFOs that will keep the Naval Aviation Enterprise winning for generations to come!”
Angermann, a native of New Hope, Pennsylvania, earned his Wings of Gold with Training Squadron (VT) 4. He served two years with CNATRA and took command of the Reserve Component in January 2019. Under his leadership, the Reserve Component mitigated active-duty manning shortfalls resulting in a 20 percent increase in CNATRA’s overall aviator production.
Angermann has assumed the position of deputy commander, U.S. Naval Air Forces Atlantic. His previous tours include Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Maritime Air Operations Det. Fort Worth, Texas, and Reserve chief staff officer, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. He has accumulated more than 6,000 flight hours in various military aircraft and has flown more than 3,000 sorties as an instructor pilot.
“My time serving as Reserve Component commander has been a sincere honor,” Angermann said. “I have worked with elite professionals who are essential to training and developing the future of Naval Aviation. My appreciation goes out to the hard working instructor pilots that make up our Reserve component.”
Pirrone is a native of Buffalo, New York, and received his Wings of Gold in 2001. He previously served as an instructor pilot at both VT-7 and Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125, and earned recognition as Instructor Pilot of the Year in 2008. He has completed two Western Pacific deployments aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CNV 72) flying the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and served as commanding officer of VFA-204. Most recently he commanded Training Air Wing 5 Reserve Component out of NAS Whiting Field in Milton, Florida. He has accumulated more than 3,500 flight hours and 250 arrested landings.
"We will continue to leverage the extraordinary talent of the men and women who have chosen to continue serving our nation after leaving active duty,” Pirrone said. “Our Reservists combine extensive military and civilian leadership experience and serve as ideal instructors and mentors for the next generation of warfighters. I could not be more proud to lead this team.”
CNATRA, headquartered in Corpus Christi, trains the world's finest combat quality aviation professionals, delivering them at the right time, in the right numbers, and at the right cost to a naval force that is where it matters, when it matters.
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.