The U.S, Navy Reserve turned 100 years old on March 3, 2015. Today, at Naval Air Station North Island, a ceremony was held with various speakers and honorees, including the Chief of Navy Reserve, Commander, Navy Reserve Force, Vice Admiral Robin R. Braun, Commander Navy Region Southwest Component Command, Captain Mark Howell, and several others including Rear Admiral Bud Lyon (USN-RET), a.k.a. “Bullfrog 1”. The “Bull Frog” title recognizes the UDT/SEAL operator with the greatest amount of cumulative service following completion of Underwater Demolition Team Replacement Accession (UDTRA) or Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, regardless of rank. A cake cutting was held with the Vice Admiral, the Rear Admiral, and an enlisted man.

The ceremony was held to not only celebrate the 100 years of Naval Reserve History, but to thank the Civilian employers, who employ these reservist.

A re-enlistment ceremony was held for several enlisted sailors and one officer who was also promoted.

There was a static display of various Naval Reserve aircraft including the F/A-18 Super Hornets and Growlers, F-5 II Tigers, the MQ-8 Fire Scout, a helicopter drone, among many others.

The event ended at the Naval Amphibious Base at Coronado, with SEAL Team 17, a reserve unit. Their mission was to have  a 5 man team to be dropped off by a SH-60 Seahawk from squadron HSC-85, the Fire Hawks into San Diego Bay, make their way onto hostile territory, grab a high profile target, and then make their way back out into the bay, where support vessels were to pick them up. Upon completion, they were attacked by enemy patrol boats, which were dispatched by over-whelming gunfire from the SEAL support craft.

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About the Author

Doug Aguillard

Douglas Aguillard is a Contributing reporter to the Military Press. He's a Marine Veteran who specializes in Military and Sports photojournalism.