Rear Admiral Benjamin Nicholson

Commander, Joint Region Marianas

Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson is a 1993 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering. He also earned a master’s degree in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and a master’s degree in National Security from the Naval War College.

Brig. Gen. Paul R. Birch, PHD

Deputy Commander, Joint Region Marianas

Brig. Gen. Paul R. Birch is the Commander, 36th Wing, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The Wing is comprised of five groups and eighteen squadrons executing Bomber Task Forces, Tanker Task Forces, Theater Security Packages, Contingency Response Operations and peacetime and combat operations in the Indo-Pacific. The Wing is also tasked to ensure the successful deployment, employment and integration of air and space forces from the most forward sovereign U.S. Air Force Base in the Indo-Pacific Region. As installation commander, General Birch is responsible for the well-being of more than 8,000 joint military and civilian personnel on Andersen AFB. Additionally, he supports Department of Defense installation management of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as the Deputy Commander of Joint Region Marianas.

Captain Gadala "Rick" Kratzer

Chief of Staff, Joint Region Marianas

Captain Gadala “Rick” Kratzer is from Fort Lauderdale, FL. He enlisted in the Navy in 1988. He completed the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST) in 1992. He received his commission in 1996 through the NROTC program at the University of San Diego, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics. He graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in 2005 with a Master’s Degree in Operations Research and a Master’s Degree in Defense Systems Technology from the National University of Singapore. He has completed both JPME I and JPME II certifications at NPS and at the Joint Forces Staff College, respectively.

Peter A. Ridilla, PE

Executive Director, Joint Region Marianas

Prior to his current position, Pete “Silverback” Ridilla served as the Deputy Officer in Charge of Construction for the Officer in Charge of Construction – Marine Corps Marianas.  He was responsible for executing the construction of $8.7B Defense Policy Review Initiative’s (DPRI) relocation of US Marine Forces from Okinawa to Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CMNI) and other outlying islands.  He ensured all requirements for Marine Corps’ operational plan execution, training, garrison operations and life support of the Marines and their families meet DoD standards.  Additionally, he was responsible for implementing the One Guam philosophy and interacting with local leaders, civic action, and cultural preservation groups to ensure the complex requirements of the Programmatic Agreement are met.

CMDCM Nicholas Messina

Command Master Chief, Joint Region Marianas

Command Master Chief Nicholas Messina hails from St. Petersburg, Florida. He graduated from Gibbs Senior High School in July 1996 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August 1996. Upon completion of Recruit Training, he attended Basic Enlisted Submarine School and Fire Control Technician A-School in Groton, CT, followed by MK118 Fire Control System C-School in Kings Bay, GA graduating in August 1998.