We are pleased to announce that the Houston Military Affairs Committee (HMAC) will resume our monthly luncheons beginning Thursday, July 8, 2021 (Click here for reservations). Meetings will continue the 2nd Thursday of each month thereafter.
The cost of meetings will be $35.00 per person and includes lunch. Reservations are required. If you have any questions, please contact Betty Manbeck at houstonmilitaryaffairs@hotmail.com.
The guest speaker for the July 8, 2021 meeting will be…
LCDR 0svaldo Vera
Commanding Officer Maritime safety and security Team Houston (91 104)
Lieutenant Commander Vera assigned the duties as Commanding Officer, MSST Houston (91104) in June of 2020. Prior to assuming command` he served as the MSST Force Manager within the Deployable Specialized Forces Section at Atlantic Area Command. He was responsible for xix MSSTs in execution of Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security, Drug Interdiction, and Migrant Interdiction missions. He developed Adaptive Force Packages to support 400+ emergent and planned operations including presidential security missions, National Special Security Events. five major hurricane responses, and Joint Interagency Task Force South Drug Interdiction missions on U.S. Coast Guard` U.S. Naval` and Allied ships.
Prior to his assignment to Atlantic Area, he served as Comm-and Center Chief at Sector Corpus Christi where his duties included Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator, Command Duty Officer. And Regional Coordinating Mechanism Operations Officer. He facilitated execution of all Coast Guard missions and coordinated efforts with Federal, State, local emergency responders, and port industry partners for emergent operations in an area encompassing 400 nautical miles of waterways` three ports, including the third largest U.S. petrochemical complex and the maritime boundary line with Mexico.
He previously served as Waterside Security Division and Maritime Law Enforcement/Force Protection Division Chief at MSST Los Angeles/Long Beach where he led nationwide maritime security deployments and increased security of the nation`s busiest container port. He supported operations that included enforcement of security zones, High Interest Vessel boardings, protection of military outloads and major marine events, and augmented shoreside security at waterfront facilities. His efforts supported critical force protection for nationally significant events and ensuring delivery of vital military supplies.
LCDR Vera enlisted in 2000 and served at Air Station Sacramento prior to completing Officer Candidate School in 2005. His previous staff tours include assignment within the Evaluations Branch at Personnel Service Center, Officer Personnel Management Division. He also served as Command Duty Officer while assigned at the U.S. Embassy, Nassau Bahamas, Operations Bahamas, Turks and Caicos where he coordinated assets including U.S. Coast Guard. U.S. Army, Drug Enforcement Administration. Customs and Border Protection, and Royal Bahamas Police and Defense Forces supporting multinational multiagency counter-narcotics interdiction operations.
LCDR Vera graduated from U.S. Naval War College with a Masters of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies, American Military University with a Masters of Arts in Public Administration. University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and Joint Forces Staff college where he completed the requirement of Joint and Combined War fighting School -Joint Professional Military Education Level Phase II.
