Commander, Navy Region Japan Biographies

CO

James Kimber — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 01:00:00 GMT

Captain Jonathan Hopkins is a native of Fallbrook, California and grew up in Peyton, Colorado. He earned his commission as an Ensign in 2001 through the University of Rochester Naval ROTC program, receiving a B.A. in History. He earned an M. A. in International Relations, with a concentration in Homeland Security, from Salve Regina University in 2008.

CO

Press Operations — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Captain Jeremy N. Lyon, a native of Hesperia, California, is a career Naval Flight Officer and Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance (MPR) professional. He is a 2001 graduate of the University of Arizona, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. He holds a Master of Arts in International Relations and Conflict Resolution from American Military University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

ED

Press Operations — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 01:00:00 GMT

A native of Santa Monica, California, in 1989 he enlisted in the Navy. In 1994 he graduated and obtained his commission from the United States Naval Academy where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Naval Architecture. Later he earned his Master's Degree in Information Systems and Operations from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. In 2009 he joined the civil service ranks.

CSO

Press Operations — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 10:04:00 GMT

Commander Tyler Maness is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio and a 2009 graduate of Miami University through the Naval ROTC program. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Zoology.

XO

Press Operations — Mon, 13 May 2024 08:10:00 GMT

Lt. Cmdr. Michael Martinez is a native of Miami, Florida. He was commissioned into the United States Navy through Officer Candidate School in 2010 and became a Surface Warfare Officer.

xo

Press Operations — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 12:07:00 GMT

Cmdr. James R. Beaty is a native of West Lafayette, Indiana. In May 2005, he received his commission and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Classical Studies from Purdue University. He was designated a Naval Flight Officer in November 2007. In 2016, he graduated from the Marine Corps University Command and Staff College with a Master of Military Studies degree.

CO

Press Operations — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 10:34:00 GMT

A Detroit native, Captain Bouyer graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1998. He earned his wings of gold and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in March 2000. Additionally, he was awarded an executive master of business administration with a defense financial management focus from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Commanding Officer

Press Operations — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 13:04:00 GMT

A native of Michigan, Captain Fontaine enlisted in the Navy in 1995 as a Machinist’s Mate. He was commissioned through the Nuclear Enlisted Commissioning Program at North Carolina State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and graduating in 2000. He holds a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University.

CO

Press Operations — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 11:58:00 GMT

Captain Les Sobol was born in Jersey City, New Jersey and graduated from Naval Post Graduate School with a master’s degree in computer science and a master’s degree in Public Administration.

CMDCM

Press Operations — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 12:21:00 GMT

Master Chief Petty Officer Lerone F. Gamble, a native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, enlisted in the United States Navy in September 1995. After completing basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL, he completed Seaman Apprenticeship training in December 1995.

CO

Press Operations — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 12:18:00 GMT

Captain William “Flash” Guheen is a native of Jackson, Wyoming, but grew up in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, where he attended High School at Hilton College, a small private school in the Midlands of Kwa-Zulu Natal. He is married to Kalia, and they have one daughter. He received his commission in 2002 from the United States Naval Academy, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Systems Engineering. Following flight training at NAS Whiting Field, Guheen was designated an unrestricted Naval Aviator in August 2004. He then reported to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Ten (HS-10) and completed Fleet Replacement Training in the SH-60F/HH-60H Seahawk Helicopter in 2005.

CMC

Press Operations — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 12:12:00 GMT

CMDCM(AW/SW) James Frost, a native of New Mexico, enlisted in the United States Navy in October, 2002. Following Basic Recruit Training at Great Lakes, Illinois, he completed aviation apprentice training at Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) Pensacola, Florida.

Executive Officer, NAF Misawa

Press Operations — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 12:11:00 GMT

CDR Brian “Din-Din” Bernardin is a native of Santa Monica, California and grew up in San Diego County. He enlisted in 1995 and while attending Naval Nuclear Power School he was accepted to the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island. He gained his commission through the United States Naval Academy in May 2001 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering. He holds a master’s degree in National Security Studies from the Air War College completed in May 2021 and completed an Anti-Submarine Warfare Certificate from the Naval Post Graduate School.

Captain Jeremy N. Lyon

Press Operations — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 12:09:00 GMT

CMC

Press Operations — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 12:08:00 GMT

Master Chief Anderson is a native of Oakland, California. He entered the Delayed Entry Program on September 28, 1995 as a Machinist Mate (MM) (Conventional) and volunteered for submarine duty as a Torpedoes Mate (TM) in February 2002.

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Press Operations — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 12:03:00 GMT

Capt. Nicolas B. Leclerc is a native of Westlake Village, California, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2000, earning a Bachelor ofScience in Computer Science. He was commissioned and reported to NAS Pensacola, FL for flight training in July 2000. He earned his Wings in December 2001 and in January 2002, he reported to the Airborne Mine Counter Measures Weapons System Training School for initial fleet training as an MH-53E pilot.

CMC

Press Operations — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 12:01:00 GMT

Command Master Chief Dennis W. Hunt, a native of Tampa, Florida, enlisted in the Navy in January 1997. After graduating from Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, he reported to Naval Technical Training Center at Corry Station Pensacola, Florida for Cryptologic Technician Collection (CTR) ‘A’ School.

CSO

Press Operations — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 12:00:00 GMT

Commander Patrick Gutierrez, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a 2007 graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science.

CMC

Press Operations — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 11:41:00 GMT

Master Chief Alan G. Benavidez is a native of San Diego, California and enlisted in the United States Navy in June 1998.

XO

Press Operations — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 11:39:00 GMT

Commander Joseph Waidelich, a native of North Brunswick, New Jersey, graduated from the University of Maryland in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He reported to Officer Candidate School (OCS) in January of 2008 at Naval Station Newport and received his commission in April of 2008. He was designated a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola in June of 2010.