SAN DIEGO (Nov. 8, 2025) Rear Adm. Kenneth Blackmon, vice commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, speaks to Sailors participating in Exercise MAKO Global 2025 onboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Nov. 8. The MAKO series provides Reserve Sailors and officers hands-on experience within an Operational Level of War (OLW) exercise including a Maritime Operations Center (MOC) scenario in a safe training environment so they are better prepared to support their active duty counterparts during missions and real-world situations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kyle Carlstrom)

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SAN DIEGO (Nov. 8, 2025) Sailors participating in Exercise MAKO Global 2025 pose for a group photo onboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Nov. 8. The MAKO series provides Reserve Sailors and officers hands-on experience within an Operational Level of War (OLW) exercise including a Maritime Operations Center (MOC) scenario in a safe training environment so they are better prepared to support their active duty counterparts during missions and real-world situations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kyle Carlstrom)

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MAKO Sentry 2026 is a Navy Reserve led training event that aims to increase the warfighting readiness of U.S. fleets in the Indo-Pacific. The main objective of MAKO is to train Reserve Sailors to fight from the Maritime Operations Centers (MOCs) as a team to ensure the Navy remains the most lethal, survivable and globally dominant maritime force.  Sailors across the Navy enterprise train together like they would fight in a high-end conflict – from a MOC. Senior, experienced Active and Reserve leaders guide new MOC watch standers through realistic scenarios and vignettes of operations in the PACFLT area of operations to enable delivery and refinement of the Navy Warfighting Concept.

“MAKO is hugely valuable. In fact, it's so valuable that during the government shutdown the Navy designated it as an excepted mission, which means that we were authorized to execute it because of its critical contribution to national security,” said Rear Adm. Joaquin Martinez de Pinillos, reserve deputy commander of PACFLT.

MAKO Sentry is a training event that forges the skills that enable seamless integration with the Active Component at the operational level of war.  As the Reserve Force trains to mass mobilize up to 50,000 Sailors within 30 days, MAKO helps to ensure those Sailors are warfighting ready on day one. 

“MAKO Sentry is our ability to give basic reps and sets to Sailors who are new to the operational level of war, and it enables them to get the basic training they need as they prepare for larger exercises throughout the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility,” said Martinez de Pinillos. 

“MAKO Sentry is critical to exercising MOC processes so that Sailors who have not had much training in a MOC have the opportunity to see it in action and learn the basics effectively – beyond an academic scenario,” said Rear Adm. Richard Meyer, PACFLT reserve director of maritime operations.  “It’s critical for our Sailors to get hands-on experience seeing how the battle rhythm runs and how day-to-day operations are going to work, so that when they actually show up in a MOC, they’re much better prepared to conduct their role.”

Navy reserve units and specialties have typically trained as individuals, but rarely together – or as a complete capability.

“In football, that’s like the quarterback not practicing with the receivers or offensive line until game day – which no good coach would do,” said Rear Adm. Kenneth Blackmon, vice commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command. “The MAKO series is a game changer for the Navy Reserve, as it enables Sailors across all designators and rates to train together in the same way we would operate together in a MOC in a time of crisis or conflict.” 

Across PACFLT, warfighting readiness is driven by a comprehensive, data-driven metric for each Sailor. This includes MOC simulations (including MAKO), specific job qualification requirements, on-the-job training in a Sailor’s mobilization position, medical and administrative readiness, and academics. This framework helps Navy Reserve leaders develop individual training plans for each Sailor that prioritize time, funding, and effort toward activities that directly contribute to their warfighting readiness.

“MAKO is a critical piece of warfighting readiness. Reservists are sharpening their skills through realistic, hands-on scenarios that reflect the complexity of operations in 7th Fleet. They’re building trust, teamwork and experience long before they deploy, so when they arrive they’re ready to integrate and fight alongside the fleet,” said Rear Adm. Katie Sheldon, vice commander of U.S. 7th Fleet.