The Site Marianas team was assisted by Seabees and Reservists to help get the crews rested and ships resupplied so they could return to sea in a safe and healthy manner. “It’s great to once again be in the company of our mission partners,” said Lt. Cmdr. Win Thaw, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka Site Marianas site director. “This time we have support from Reservists and Seabees to help deliver critical products and services to these visiting units.” NBG permitted sandbox liberty to the Theodore Roosevelt CSG and safe haven liberty to the Makin Island ARG throughout their visits. Personnel on the ships were only authorized to be within designated areas onboard NBG during liberty periods. To accommodate ship requirements, seven Sailors from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4 and NMCB 11 partnered with four Sailors from NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka Site Marianas to setup over 3,000 chairs and tables for the fleet landing, and arranged for 30 vehicles to be on standby to assist with transportation requirements. During the fleet landing setup, Reservists delivered and prepared 150 triwall boxes of mail for the ships, culminating in nearly 65,000 pounds of mail throughout the month of April. “Usually the removal of a CSG’s accommodations and the return of vehicles takes about two days after departure, and an ARG setup takes about two to three days,” said David Poffenberger, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka Site Marianas logistics support representative. “Yet we were able to arrange most of the requirements in as little as one day, thanks to the help we’ve received from Seabees and Reservists.” Some of the Makin Island ARG units have been deployed for over six months without the opportunity for liberty, motivating Sailors onboard Site Marianas to provide the highest possible service to these units. “I have been on two sea duties and deployments. I know what it’s like,” said Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Nina Bowers. “We knew what this would mean for our fellow Sailors and Marines, so we worked hard to get everything setup before everyone arrived.” Site Marianas has a total of six Sailors, making the logistical demands from the Theodore Roosevelt CSG and the Makin Island ARG quite significant, requiring a substantial amount of coordination from the Site Marianas team. Three crane support crews were arranged to deliver general stores to one ship, making repeated trips to warehouses to reload trucks, and eventually making deliveries on another pier to distribute to even more ships. On the same day, four different ships received their supplies. “All of our personnel played a crucial role in the preparation and execution of the logistics plan, which provided an important proof of interoperability of Site Marianas in support of the fleet and the Indo-Pacific theater,” said NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka Site Marianas Logistics Support Officer Lt. Yan Liang. NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka is one of eight FLCs under Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP’s mission is to provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and the joint warfighter.
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.