EVERETT, Wash. — Commander, Navy Region Northwest, Reserve Component Command (CNRNW RCC) Everett recently executed the Local Area Coordinator for Mobilization (LACMOB) program for deploying Selected Reservists (SELRES) in support of the fiscal year 2021 (FY21) remote and distributed mobilization training plan, March 22-26. Capt. Jonas Jones, commander, CNRNW RCC Everett, was thrilled for his RCC to be the first Reserve region to exercise delegated LACMOB authority. "Our Reservists are the best in the nation,” said Jones. “To know we are a critical enabler of this nation’s warfighting readiness makes this a great time to be in the Navy Reserve.”
Jones said RCC Northwest had a singular focus during LACMOB, “Our goal was to prove to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) and Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC) that we can rapidly mobilize Sailors and give them added capability and capacity going forward.”
By the end of the event, CNRNW RCC succeeded in mobilizing Reservists deploying to various overseas locations.
While most Reserve Sailors who have mobilized in the last 20 years have done so through a Navy Mobilization Processing Site (NMPS), the LACMOB program ensures the Navy Reserve itself can mobilize a large number of Reserve Sailors quickly in an era of Great Power Competition.
With a Full-Time Support (FTS) staff of 60 personnel at CNRNW RCC Everett, and 200 more at the 16 Navy Operational Support Centers (NOSC) within the region, Jones says RCC Northwest was selected as the test site for LACMOB at the echelon four level due to their reputation as a force leader in readiness metrics. Additionally, the region was selected due to the number of FTS Sailors who received on-the-job training last year while deploying Sailors in support of the COVID-19 pandemic response efforts, using the Distributed Mobilization (DM) concept, a process similar to LACMOB using local Reserve centers as the deployment processing site.
Chief Hull Technician Maria Michel, one of the coordinators of the LACMOB event, expressed why she was excited to be part of the test.
“Our shipmates and our Sailors continue to be mission-ready at all times,” said Michel. “We need to be ready to mobilize personnel when we get the call to support commands at every hierarchy level. We all know it is not a matter of ‘if’ we are called, but rather of ‘when.’”
Michel said it has taken significant training and focus to get to this point.
“Our DM team has invested a lot of hard work, dedication, learning and planning these many months,” she said. “This investment into mission readiness will pay significant dividends in the future. It is a strong foundation that will ensure the Navy continues to mobilize Sailors efficiently and effectively.”
In the next 12 months, the remaining five RCCs are expected to join RCC Everett as fully-qualified processing sites rising to meet the readiness demands of the Great Power Competition era.
Jones will turn over duties later this year, and views LACMOB as a part of the culmination of his command tour.
“Our team has made this one of the proudest moments in my 30 years of service. Leading the execution of this event in command of the finest RCC — in the finest Reserve Force — in the finest Navy the world has ever seen makes me feel extremely fortunate to be a part of this team. It has been an incredible honor.”
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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.