Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve Announces Sea, Shore, Selected Reserve Sailors of the Year

09 February 2024

From Chief Mass Communication Specialist Chelsea Milburn, Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve Public Affairs

Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve (CNAFR) announced its 2023 Sailors of the Year at an awards ceremony at the Coronado Brigantine, Feb. 8, 2024.
Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve (CNAFR) announced its 2023 Sailors of the Year at an awards ceremony at the Coronado Brigantine, Feb. 8, 2024.
 
The Fiscal Year 2023 Sailor of the Year winners are as follows:
 
CNAFR Sea Sailor of the Year

Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Aaron Doane
Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 60
 
CNAFR Shore Sailor of the Year

Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class William Posey
Fighter Squadron Composite 12
 
CNAFR Selected Reserve Sailor of the Year

Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Paul Laughlin
Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 59
 
During their two days in San Diego ahead of the ceremony, the 14 finalists visited several Department of Defense and aviation historical sites within the area, had time to network with and receive mentorship from senior enlisted leadership from across the CNAFR enterprise, and conducted their final competition. The historical sites included the San Diego Air and Space Museum, the USS Midway Museum, and the Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial.
 
In addition to Doan, Posey, and Laughlin, finalists included:
 
Naval Aircrewman Mechanical 1st Class Brian Collins
Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve
 
Logistics Specialist 1st Class Sara Covert
Naval Air Facility Washington D.C.
 
Yeoman 1st Class Gerda Dessalines
Fleet Readiness Center Reserve Mid-West
 
Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class William Kuechler
Naval Air Facility Washington D.C.
 
Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Christopher McCoy
Commander, Fleet Logistics Support Wing
 
Naval Aircrewman Mechanical 1st Class Nathan Pouch
Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 62
 
Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Lorena Ruiz
Electronic Attack Squadron 209
 
Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Scott Stanford
Commander, Maritime Support Wing
 
Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Brandon Stewart
Navy Air Logistics Office
 
Yeoman 1st Class Madison Tress
Patrol Squadron 62
 
Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class Jain Zheng
Airborne Command and Control and Logistics Wing Squadron Augment Unit
 
Posey and Laughlin will go on to compete for Commander, Navy Reserve Force (CNRF) Sailor of the Year in their respective categories. Doan will go on to compete for Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CNAP) Sea Sailor of the Year.

Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve (CNAFR) mans, trains and equips the Naval Air Force Reserve in order to provide enduring operational support and strategic depth to Navy forces that win in combat.
 
 
Acting Chief of Navy Reserve, Acting, Commander, Navy Reserve Force

Rear Admiral Richard S. Lofgren

Acting Chief of Navy Reserve, Acting, Commander, Navy Reserve Force

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.

 

 
Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command, Deputy Commander, Navy Reserve Force

Rear Admiral Luke A. Frost

Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command, Deputy Commander, Navy Reserve Force

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.

 

 
Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve/Deputy Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Pacific Fleet/Vice Commander, Naval Air Forces

Rear Admiral John Saccomando

Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve/Deputy Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Pacific Fleet/Vice Commander, Naval Air Forces

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.

 

 
Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve

Rear Admiral Gregory K. Emery

Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve

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.

 

 
Navy Reserve Force Master Chief

Force Master Chief Nicole C. Rios

Navy Reserve Force Master Chief

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, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command

Master Chief Robert W. Lyons II

Command Master Chief, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command

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, Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve

Master Chief Van "Chris" Louvier

Command Master Chief, Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve

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

Command Master Chief, Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve

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.

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