This was the first visit to a NOSC by a Secretary in recent memory. During the visit, Braithwaite congratulated the Reserve Sailors and NOSC staff for their outstanding work during COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts last year.
“Many of you probably know I retired from the Navy after 31 years of combined active and reserve service. I am proud of that and want to thank each of you for your dedicated service and the sacrifices you endure to serve our country,” said Braithwaite. “The nation sends its gratitude to the over 3,000 Reserve Sailors, many who mobilized in less than 48 hours, that deployed in the fight against COVID-19.”
Braithwaite then met with NOSC Newport and MSRON 8 leadership, and received briefs on the commands and their current operations and initiatives.
“Our command’s number one priority is ensuring warfighting readiness,” said Cmdr. Aleksei Razsadin, NOSC Newport commanding officer, during a tour of the NOSC’s facilities. “We were honored to have the opportunity to show the secretary how we work together to ensure that all ‘Team Newport’ Reserve
Sailors are ready to answer the Nation’s call at a moment’s notice.”
NOSC Newport serves as the readiness generation center for their Navy Reserve Sailors, ensuring mobilization and warfighting readiness. NOSC Newport supports over 500 Reserve Sailors and the families of those deployed in support of military operations worldwide. The Navy Reserve Force has 122 NOSCs stationed across the globe.
During the visit, Braithwaite presented several awards to Navy Reserve medical professionals who mobilized to support COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts onboard the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) and at the Javits Center in New York City. He also awarded Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals to the 2020 NOSC Newport Sailors of the Year.
“Our team was thrilled to host the secretary and introduce him to our incredible Sailors,” said Capt. John Ouellette, commanding officer, MSRON 8. “Our Sailors are specialized to provide a wide-range of maritime security capabilities to operational commanders. In fact, right now MSRON 8 Charlie Company Sailors are currently forward-deployed supporting operations in U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Central Command.”
The Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Security Force’s mission, which includes MSRON 8, is to reinforce Navy lethality and support the Navy-Marine Corps team in naval power projection ashore.
During the visit, all COVID-19 precautions were strictly followed and enforced. The number of participants were also limited to ensure social distancing.
For more information regarding the Navy Reserve, please go to www.navyreserve.navy.mil.
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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.