Navy Reservist Storekeeper Chief Petty Officer Dana Lyon, who just returned from a nine-month deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, was promoted to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer in June.

Lyon is affiliated with the Naval Air Systems Command Reserve Program (NRP). As a member of the NRP, he is part of a highly trained cadre of 250 officers and enlisted personnel who apply their unique blend of civilian and military experience to support the full spectrum of naval aviation engineering, development, testing, evaluation, in-service support, and program management activities.

Currently assigned to support the NRP's Forward Deployed Combat (FDCR) Repair mission, Detachment Bravo, Lyon was recalled to active duty and deployed to Al Asad, Iraq, in October 2008. Detachment Bravo is based at the Minneapolis Naval Operational Service Center,

The Forward Deployed Combat Repair mission includes an expeditionary element that assists in maintaining coalition aircraft as part of ongoing in-service repair, aircraft battle damage repair, and aircraft service and inspection efforts.

The deployed command is composed of mobilized Reservists who work alongside civilian Department of Navy artisans who are also serving in Iraq as a means to reduce the cost associated with transporting aircraft back and forth to one of the three aviation depot-level maintenance facilities located in the U.S.

"Our team in Iraq delivers valuable mission support with highly qualified aviation maintenance and logistics professionals who possess specific skill sets that seamlessly align with the naval aviation mission," said Captain Bill Hendricks, Lyon's commanding officer. "It's truly been an honor to serve with Senior Chief Lyon and to have him on the NAVAIR Reserve Team."

Lyon grew up on the South side of Minneapolis and graduated from South High School in 1984. He joined the Navy and trained to become an Aviation Storekeeper, serving on active duty until 1997.

His tours of duty include: two Mediterranean cruises on board USS San Diego (AFS-6); two years with an F-14 Tomcat fighter squadron, the Fighting Fourteen "Tophatters"; and three years at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Fl., where he managed F-18 parts and equipment.

Lyon has served 11 years in the Navy Reserve, for a total of 18 years of combined service.

"I am honored to wear the uniform of the nation and to be able to make a meaningful and measurable difference to the NAVAIR mission," he said.

At any given time approximately 15 percent of NRP personnel are preparing, or are already deployed forward, to sustain Naval Aviation missions supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

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Photo Cutline:
NAVAIR Reservist and Minneapolis native, Storekeeper Chief Petty Officer Dana Lyon, who just returned from a nine-month deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, was promoted to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer in June. He was recalled to active duty and deployed to Al Asad, Iraq, in October 2008.