NAVAL AMPHIBIOUS BASE CORONADO, Calif (April 22, 2024) – A ribbon cutting ceremony on Naval Amphibious Base Coronado in April marked the official launch of a $5 million renovation project for the first Navy Reserve Operational Level of War Center of Excellence (COE).
The center will support the growing demand for training Reserve sailors during the MAKO series of exercises, a training series specifically designed to give Reserve members hands-on experience.
During the past year, 1,200 Reserve sailors participated in the MAKO series.
“This ribbon cutting is a major milestone in our journey to deliver trained, ready Reserve forces,” said Vice Adm. John Mustin, chief of the Navy Reserve.
In 2020 Mustin issued his initial Navy Reserve Fighting instructions communicating his singular priority: Warfighting Readiness.
“Bottom line, the Navy Reserve exists to contribute to the Navy’s ability to fight and win in armed conflict. And in our business, there is no room for failure, and the margin between winners and losers is razor thin. That is why this Center of Excellence is so important,” Mustin explained.
MAKO exposes Reserve sailors to maritime operations, planning, mission orders, integrated fires, among other skill sets, with the goal of seamlessly integrating Reservists into Fleet Maritime Operations Centers (MOC), and ultimately enhancing the critical depth the Navy requires to win in an era of great power competition.
“This ceremony commemorating the establishment of our first [Navy Reserve Operational Level of War Center of Excellence] is an inflection point in the history of the Navy Reserve. It serves as a reminder that we are today investing in what is required to be and remain an elite warfighting force, laser-focused on warfighting readiness,” said Mustin.
