Still Riverines Story and photos by Cmdr. Steven Mannion, MSRON8 Squadron names have changed from Coastal Riverine to Navy Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron, but the sailors assigned are still “riverines.” According to the Navy Maritime Expeditionary Security Force, the name change reflects “their blue-water fleet integration missions which are more robust than their legacy riverine roles.” Each of the four reserve Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadrons will soon be composed of five companies instead of four. The shoreside security platoon from each legacy PSU-sized company will be peeled off to form the fifth, Echo Company. I’m excited for the changes and the opportunities this will bring for Coast Guard reservists assigned. MSRON8 rotates one company to Djibouti and embarked security intelligence teams to Bahrain and Spain every two years, composed of members from its four legacy companies. Those companies have platoons in Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Ohio, and Maryland. A fifth company means potentially more leadership opportunities. Currently, there are nine Coast Guard billets at MSRON8: a commander, a lieutenant commander, a lieutenant, two chief petty officers (one boatswain mate, one maritime enforcement specialist), three operational specialists, and an intelligence specialist. Those assigned must be flexible and adaptable to seize upon opportunities that arise. Lt. Cmdr. Pat Dillon was assigned here in 2017, and he deployed a few months later as the deputy mission commander for Wave 10 to Djibouti. Dillon was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal after he returned, promoted to his current rank of lieutenant commander, and received the Small Craft OIC Insignia. He said his experience with MSRON8 was key to his selection as the executive officer for Port Security Unit 301. 16 RESERVIST � Issue 1 • 2021 When Cmdr. Chris O’Halloran was assigned as the senior reserve officer of MSRON8 in 2018, he thought he would not have the opportunity to deploy. But in 2020, he deployed to Camp Lemonier in Djibouti. After a month, he was drafted by the Navy to serve as a liaison officer in Rota, Spain. He now coordinates with the Europe-Africa Task Force for three combatant command theaters of operation. In 2018, I was selected to command Delta Company’s 160 sailors for one year because of my prior Station New York and Maritime Security and Safety team experience. Since then, I qualified as a mission commander, was awarded the Navy Small Craft OIC Insignia in 2020, and recently mobilized to help protect fast attack submarines transiting to and from the New London Submarine Base in Connecticut. The coronavirus pandemic has required MSRON8’s Coast Guard members to pivot between working on Navy and Coast Guard qualifications. Lt. Cmdr. Cris Michelucci, our newest member, completed her Coast Guard intelligence qualification, and is working on the Navy’s equivalent. Lt. Ian Dundas completed his Navy Reserve Augment OIC qualification, and recently obtained his liaison officer agency representative qualifications. Some of our other members have earned ICS qualifications this year and are training to obtain their Navy Expeditionary Warfare insignia. Despite the challenges of the pandemic and working in an inter- service unit, these Coast Guard riverines continue to be an adaptable addition to the Navy’s global mission. Their diverse skills and combined experiences with expeditionary warfare and Coast Guard missions will continue to ensure their value to their service and the nation. �
