Commander Adam D. Yates

Commanding Officer, Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 115

02 November 2021 A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Commander Yates graduated from the University of Alabama in 2002, earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Master of Arts in Marketing. CDR Yates was commissioned through Officer Candidate School at NAS Pensacola, FL, and reported for flight training in June 2004. In June 2005, CDR Yates reported to the VAW-120 “Greyhawks” for initial fleet training as an E-2C Hawkeye Naval Flight Officer.  He earned his NFO Wings in March 2006. 
CDR Yates began his operational flying in December 2006 with the “Wallbangers” of VAW-117.  While in VAW-117, he made three deployments aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68), participating in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  During this tour CDR Yates graduated from the E-2C Airborne Mission Commander’s Course, earning ACTC Level IV qualification. 
CDR Yates returned to VAW-120 as an instructor NFO in January 2010.  Following instructor duty, CDR Yates returned to sea in November 2012 as the Flag Lieutenant for Commander, Carrier Strike Group TEN, deploying aboard USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN 75) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  CDR Yates reported to Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in August 2014, earning a Master’s of Military Operational Art and Science degree and Joint Professional Military Education Phase I credit.
CDR Yates reported to the VAW-116 “Sun Kings” in October 2015 as a department head and deployed aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. While in VAW-116, he served as Safety Officer, Administration Officer, and Operations Officer.
Following his department head tour, CDR Yates served as an action officer, Joint Staff, J-7 Directorate.  While on the Joint Staff, he directly supported the development of Joint Doctrine and the Joint Capabilities and Integration Development System.  He was selected for squadron command in March 2018 and is scheduled to report to VAW-115 as Executive Officer in July 2020.
CDR Yates has accumulated over 1,700 flight hours and 400 carrier arrested landings in the E-2C Hawkeye. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal (2 awards), Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards), and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards) and various service awards and ribbons.