CAPTAIN KELLY A. VARONFAKIS
COMMANDING OFFICER FLEET READINESS CENTER MID-WEST
Born in San Diego, California, Captain Kelly Ann Varonfakis began her career on August 18, 1997 by reporting to the University of Southern California for the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Upon graduation in 2001, she received her commission and was assigned as an Operations Officer for the 71st Operational Support Squadron at Vance AFB, Oklahoma.
In 2004, CAPT Varonfakis transferred to the Selective Reserves, drilling with Naval Aviation Depot, Cherry Point, North Carolina. In 2005, she reported to Naval Aviation Maintenance Program Indoctrination School where she was designated as an Aviation Maintenance Duty Officer (AMDO). Answering a call for mobilization, she transferred to HCS-4, in Norfolk, Virginia where she served multiple tours in Iraq between 2006 and 2007. During that time, she earned the Naval Helicopter Association Maintenance Officer ofthe Year.
In February 2008, CAPT Varonfakis joined the Full Time Support community, and reported to VR-54, onboard NAS JRB New Orleans. In September 2010, she transferred to Fleet Readiness Center (FRC) West, detachment Fort Worth, Texas, during that assignment she earned her Professional Aviation Maintenance Officer qualification. She then remained in Fort Worth to serve at the Fleet Logistics Support Wing (FLSW), followed by assignment to Logistics and Industrial Operations, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), in Patuxent River, Maryland. Upon her selection to Commander in 2015, she transferred to FRC Mid-Atlantic, detachment New Orleans, LA, where she served as the Officer in Charge and Maintenance Officer until October 2018, when she returned to Patuxent River to report to Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers, to serve as the Vertical Lift Director. Selected for Captain in FY22, she served as the Force Maintenance Officer (N42) for Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve, in Norfolk. She then returned to Fort Worth in July 2023, to FRC Reserve Mid-West, to serve as the Commanding Officer.
CAPT Varonfakis holds a Master of Education, an Executive Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Arts in National Strategy. She completed Joint Professional Military Education with distinction and holds Defense Acquisition Corps Membership with legacy Level Il certification in Production, Quality and Manufacturing and Level Il certification in Logistics. Her awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various campaign and unit awards.
COMMANDER JUAN A. LUCERO
OFFICER IN CHARGE FLEET READINESS CENTER MID-WEST NEW ORLEANS
A native of Rota, Spain, Commander Lucero graduated from Great Mills High School, MD in 1993. In April 1994, he reported to RTC in Great Lakes, IL.
After completion of ASA1 “A” School and “C”, he reported to the USS AMERICA (CV-66) in Norfolk, where he deployed and participated in OPERATION DELIBERATE FORCE during the “Bosnian War”. In July 1996, he reported to AIMD at NAS Sigonella, Italy, in support of carrier operations int eh Mediterranean Sea. From August of 1998 to August 2001, he served at NAS Oceana, AIMD, in Virginia Beach, VA; and in August of 2001, he reported onboard the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) where he participated in OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM and OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM in the Middle East. He then transferred to Naval Air Technical Training Center as an instructor. There, he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer.
He was selected as a Limited Duty Officer (LDO) in March of 2007. His first duty station as an officer was Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 (HM-15), where he served as Assistant Maintenance Officer (AMO), Quality Assurance Officer (QAO), Maintenance and Material Control Officer (MMCO) and Detachment Maintenance Officer (DETMO) in the Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility in support of OPERATION NEW DAWN.
In June of 2011, he was assigned to Commander Helicopter Combat Wing Pacific (COMHSCWINGPAC) in NAS North Island, San Diego, CA as Readiness Officer, Inspection & Training Team Officer. Following this tour, in November 2013, he reported to Fleet Logistics Squadron 30 (VRC-30) and served as MMCO and DETMO in three separate occasions and “back to back” Westpac deployments in support of operations in East Asia. During this tour, he was selected as the ACCLOGWING Maintenance Officer of the Year for FY2016.
In September 2017, he reported to Fleet Readiness Center East McGuire Detachment, where he served as Assistant Officer In Charge. He was hand selected and reported to Commander Naval Air Forces as an Aviation Maintenance Management Team Officer in September 2019, where he inspected 73 Aviation squadrons and Aviation Repair Facilities in the Navy and Marines Corps.
In June 2020, he was hand picked by “The Air Boss” to lead the Naval Sustainability System-Aviation (NSS-A) Organization Level pillar overseeing aviation maintenance throughout the entire Naval Aviation Enterprise.
In September 2022, he reported to Commander Naval Air Technical Training (CNATT) where he was the Ready Relevant Learning (RRL) Program Manager. After his promotion to Commander, he was assigned to CNATT DET Eglin as the OIC leading a team of instructors teaching Sailors and Marines maintenance practices in the new F-35B/C 5th generation fighter.
Currently, he serves as the OIC at Fleet Readiness Center Reserve Mid-West New Orleans; where he leads 147 Sailors, Marines, civil service and contractors performing intermediate level repairs in support of Naval & USCM squadrons.
CDR Lucero holds a Bachelor in Criminal Justice and a Master of Business Administration from Saint Leo University. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards) and unit awards.
CAPTAIN JASON T. MARTINSON
EXECUTIVE OFFICER FLEET READINESS CENTER SOUTH-WEST
A native of Rota, Spain, Commander Lucero graduated from Great Mills High School, MD in 1993. In April 1994, he reported to RTC in Great Lakes, IL.
After completion of ASA1 “A” School and “C”, he reported to the USS AMERICA (CV-66) in Norfolk, where he deployed and participated in OPERATION DELIBERATE FORCE during the “Bosnian War”. In July 1996, he reported to AIMD at NAS Sigonella, Italy, in support of carrier operations int eh Mediterranean Sea. From August of 1998 to August 2001, he served at NAS Oceana, AIMD, in Virginia Beach, VA; and in August of 2001, he reported onboard the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) where he participated in OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM and OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM in the Middle East. He then transferred to Naval Air Technical Training Center as an instructor. There, he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer.
He was selected as a Limited Duty Officer (LDO) in March of 2007. His first duty station as an officer was Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 (HM-15), where he served as Assistant Maintenance Officer (AMO), Quality Assurance Officer (QAO), Maintenance and Material Control Officer (MMCO) and Detachment Maintenance Officer (DETMO) in the Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility in support of OPERATION NEW DAWN.
In June of 2011, he was assigned to Commander Helicopter Combat Wing Pacific (COMHSCWINGPAC) in NAS North Island, San Diego, CA as Readiness Officer, Inspection & Training Team Officer. Following this tour, in November 2013, he reported to Fleet Logistics Squadron 30 (VRC-30) and served as MMCO and DETMO in three separate occasions and “back to back” Westpac deployments in support of operations in East Asia. During this tour, he was selected as the ACCLOGWING Maintenance Officer of the Year for FY2016.
In September 2017, he reported to Fleet Readiness Center East McGuire Detachment, where he served as Assistant Officer In Charge. He was hand selected and reported to Commander Naval Air Forces as an Aviation Maintenance Management Team Officer in September 2019, where he inspected 73 Aviation squadrons and Aviation Repair Facilities in the Navy and Marines Corps.
In June 2020, he was hand picked by “The Air Boss” to lead the Naval Sustainability System-Aviation (NSS-A) Organization Level pillar overseeing aviation maintenance throughout the entire Naval Aviation Enterprise.
In September 2022, he reported to Commander Naval Air Technical Training (CNATT) where he was the Ready Relevant Learning (RRL) Program Manager. After his promotion to Commander, he was assigned to CNATT DET Eglin as the OIC leading a team of instructors teaching Sailors and Marines maintenance practices in the new F-35B/C 5th generation fighter.
Currently, he serves as the OIC at Fleet Readiness Center Reserve Mid-West New Orleans; where he leads 147 Sailors, Marines, civil service and contractors performing intermediate level repairs in support of Naval & USCM squadrons.
CDR Lucero holds a Bachelor in Criminal Justice and a Master of Business Administration from Saint Leo University. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards) and unit awards.
Program Events
Musical Selections
Navy Region Southeast Band
Arrival Honors
Parade the Colors
Color Guard
National Anthem
CDR Gloria McCray
Invocation
LT Jeffrey Owens
Presiding Officer Remarks
CAPT Kelly A. Varonfakis
Award Presentation
Remarks
CDR Juan A. Lucero
Change of Charge
Remarks
New OIC
*** Retirement Ceremony***
Guest Speaker Remarks
CAPT Jason Martinson
Family Awards
CAPT Kelly A. Varonfakis
Remarks
CDR Juan A. Lucero
Old Glory/Passing of the Flag
The Watch
Senior Chief (ret) Jason Villarreal
Piping Ashore
Old Glory
"I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is Old Glory. I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I stand guard majestically over great institutions of learning.
I stand guard with the greatest military power in the world.
Look up and see me. I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom. I am confident; I am arrogant; I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners, my head is a little higher, my colors a little truer. I bow to no one.
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped. I am loved and I am feared. I have fought in every battle of every war for more than 200 years:
Gettysburg, Shilo, Appomattox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of Normandy, Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, in the Persian Gulf and a score of places long forgotten, by all but those who were there with me. I was there.
I led my Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. I followed them and watched over them. They loved me. I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima. I was dirty, battle-worn and tired, but my Marines and Sailors cheered me. And I was proud. Thave been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries that I have helped set free.
It does not hurt, for I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my own country. and when it is by those I have served in battle with, it hurts. But I shall overcome, for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of earth and from my vantagepoint on the moon, I stand watch over the uncharted new frontiers of space.
I have been silent witness to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hour comes when I am torn in strips to be used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the field of battle -when I fly at half mast to honor my Soldiers, my Airman, my Sailors, my Marines, and -when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving mother, at the graveside of her fallen son or daughter.
I am proud. My name is "Old Glory" Long may I wave, dear God, long may I wave.
The Watch
For thirty three years,
This sailor have stood the watch
While some of us were in our bunks at night,
This sailor stood the watch
While some of us were in school learning our trade,
This shipmate stood the watch
Yes... even before some of us were born into this world,
This shipmate stood the watch
In those years when the storm clouds of war were seen brewing on the horizon of history,
This shipmate stood the watch
Many times he would cast an eye ashore and see his family standing there
Needing his guidance and help
Needing that hand to hold during those hard times,
But he still stood the watch
His stood the watch for thirty three years.
He stood the watch so that we, our families and our fellow countrymen could sleep soundly in safety, each and every night Knowing that this sailor stood the watch
Today we are here to say 'Shipmate... the watch stands relieved"
A Military Father’s Love!
There were oceans stretched between us, countless miles of restless sea, while duty called your father forward to protect the land of the free.
I missed your birthdays, missed your laughter, missed small moments day by day, while standing watch beneath the stars so far from home and far away.
I know the silence was not easy, and the waiting tested you too, because service is not borne by one it is carried by families through and through.
You learned strength before your years, learned courage without demand, holding steady through the storms with a brave and gentle hand.
Though I wore the uniform, you served beside me all along, through tearful goodbyes at the doorway and finding hope when days felt long.
And every letter, every picture, every "I love you" sent my way became the light I carried with me through every dark and lonely day.
So thank you, my sweet children, for the sacrifices you never chose, for standing tall while I was gone, for the grace with which you rose.
No medal resting on my chest could ever mean as much to me as being the father of a child so strong, so loving, and so brave to be.
If I have earned honor in this life, it is not from ranks or seas I crossed; it is from calling you my children through every gain and every loss.
And when my years of service fade like sunsets slipping into blue, the greatest pride I'll ever carry will always, always be you.
Command Mission
The mission of the Fleet Readiness Center Reserve Mid-West Detachment New Orleans is to produce relevant quality airframes, engines, components, and services to meet the Navy’s aircraft-ready for tasking requirements. We focus on improved efficiency and reduced costs by adhering to the principles: "Fix it once! Fix it right! Fix it on time!"