NEWPORT, R.I. — Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite met with Reserve Sailors assigned to Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Newport and Maritime Security Squadron 8 (MSRON 8) aboard Naval Station Newport, Jan. 9.
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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