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Naval Base Ventura County Launches Operation MWR Featuring Country Artist Russell Dickerson

May 29, 2024 | Story by Naomi Wilkins | Commander, Navy Installations Command

WASHINGTON – Country singer Russell Dickerson was nothing short of amazing at Naval Base Ventura County’s (NBVC) Operation MWR event. “The country vibe was flowing”, said Rich Cobb, Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Marketing Manager.

With a turnout of around 800 attendees, NBVC’s Operation MWR concert was months in the making to ensure a memorable event in support of quality of life programming for Sailors and their families. Attendees were treated to everything from the artist’s meet and greet to food trucks, organized by MWR. Opening the show was Cody Bradley, an up-and-coming country artist from Georgia. As an Army veteran, Bradley's military background makes him both rugged and relatable to the Sailors and their families. Bradley expressed to MWR staff that he would love to return to NBVC for another performance.

The main performer of the night, Russell Dickerson, best known for his billboard country hits such as “Blue Tacoma” and “Every Little Thing,” said he was “honored to be considered for Operation MWR, and honored to be that person who brings a little joy, and to make some memories that the Sailors and families will hopefully remember for a long time.” Dickerson went on to say that his granddad served on the USS Missouri, and by performing at Operation MWR, he was not only carrying on the legacy but also “saying thank you to these men and women who serve our country day in and day out.”

“Our crowd was highly energized by both performers and the stories each artist shared about themselves. Their inspiration to perform resonated with the audience resulting in plenty of cheer,” said Cobb as he described the performance. “Attendees came out in their country gear, lots of cowboy hats and boots, and MWR cowboy hats were given out as keepsakes which were a hit with the crowd, both young and old!” exclaimed Cobb. 

Capt. Robert “Barr” Kimnach III, Commanding Officer of NBVC, expressed his satisfaction with the MWR team’s dedication to ensuring the success of the event. “The Navy is a lot more than just a job - it’s a lifestyle, it’s a community, it’s a career. We invest a lot of our services, people and funding into doing things well beyond just the standard job. Events like Operation MWR will showcase that we are doing more.” 

Navy MWR's Operation MWR will host 65+ free events at Navy installations worldwide from May to June 2024. These events aim to boost morale and resilience among service members and their families through live entertainment, recreational activities, food, games, and more. Open to active duty members, reservists, veterans, retirees, DoD civilians, and eligible MWR patrons. For more information about Operation MWR and to find your local event, please visit NavyMWR.org/OperationMWR.

Navy MWR’s mission is to deliver high-quality, customer-focused programs and services that contribute to resiliency, retention, readiness and quality of life. Navy MWR Entertainment tours make a positive impact on the morale of our troops. The program provides quality, live entertainment for Sailors stationed overseas and on deployed ships at sea. For more information about the program, visit NavyMWR.org/Entertainment.

No Navy endorsement implied.

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