Obituary - Rear Admiral Jay Bradford “Spook” Yakeley, III, U.S. Navy, Retired

RADM Yakeley enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve on 24 June 1966 and served as a Naval Aviator until his retirement on 1 March 1999 as Director, Programming Division (N80) in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. His commands included Fighter Squadron ONE ONE FOUR (VF-114), Fighter Squadron ONE TWO FOUR (VF-124), Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN (CVW-14) and Carrier Group THREE (COMCARGRU 3). He was awarded the Air Medal with Numeral “7”, and Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” (two awards) for 125 combat missions in the Vietnam War during USS AMERICA’s 1972 deployment.

The son of Captain Jay Yakeley, Jr., a World War II and Korean War Naval Aviator, Jay Yakeley III graduated from Lorcas College in Dubuque, Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (according to his service transcript) or a Bachelor of Science in Economics (according to his obituary.) Regardless, on 24 June 1966 he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve, reporting for active duty on 1 November 1966 to Aviation Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve on 10 February 1967 and continued on active duty.

In February 1967, Ensign Yakeley reported to Naval Aviation Basic Training Command (NABTC) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola for initial flight training. In January 1968 he reported to Training Squadron TWO FIVE (VT-25) at Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS) Chase Field, Beeville, Texas for advanced flight training in the TF-9J Cougar jet fighter trainer. He was designated a Naval Aviator on 27 May 1968. After a short tour of duty under instruction as NAS New York, he was promoted to lieutenant (junior grade) in July 1968.

In July 1968, Lieutenant (junior grade) Yakeley was assigned as an Instructor Pilot for intermediate jet training in Training Squadron NINE (VT-9) “Tigers” at NAS Meridian, Mississippi as the squadron transitioned from the T-2A to the T-2C Buckeye jet trainer. In October 1969, he reported to Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO ONE (VF-101) “Grim Reapers” at NAS Oceana, Virginia for transition training to the F-4J Phantom II jet fighter-bomber. He was promoted to lieutenant in March 1970.

In August 1970, Lieutenant Yakeley reported to Fighter Squadron SEVEN FOUR (VF-74) “Be-Devilers” embarked on attack carrier USS FORRESTAL (CVA-59) for a Mediterranean deployment. Upon return, the squadron transitioned from the F-4B to the F-4J Phantom II. On 16 September 1971, he augmented from the U.S. Naval Reserve to the U.S. Navy. He served variously as Quality Assurance Division/Maintenance Safety/Assistant Operations and Education Services Officer. VF-74 embarked on attack carrier USS AMERICA (CVA-66) deploying from Norfolk in January 1972 for a Vietnam War deployment that coincided with the North Vietnamese “Easter Offensive” into South Vietnam, the U.S. response (Operation Linebacker) and the most intense air-to-air action of the war. During seven line periods on Yankee Station, VF-74 did not lose a single aircraft, and LT Yakeley flew 125 combat missions. AMERICA returned to Norfolk in October 1972.

In April 1973, LT Yakeley was assigned to the Naval Plant Representative Office (NAVPRO) at Grumman Aerospace Corporation, Bethpage, Long Island, where he served as Operations Officer and the first F-14 Tomcat Acceptance Test Pilot. While there, he concurrently earned a Master’s Degree in Economics from the State University of New York, Stony Brook. In December 1975, he reported to Fighter Squadron ONE TWO FOUR (VF-124) “Gunfighters” at NAS Miramar, California as a Fleet Replacement Pilot in the F-14A Tomcat. He was promoted to lieutenant commander in May 1976.

In June 1976, Lieutenant Commander Yakeley reported to Fighter Squadron TWO (VF-2) “Bounty Hunters” at NAS Miramar, serving as Assistant Operations and Safety Officer, flying the F-14A Tomcat. In July 1976, VF-2 embarked on carrier USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) for a Western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployment, returning in March 1977. VF-2/ENTERPRISE deployed again to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean in April-October 1978. In December 1978, LCDR Yakeley returned to VF-124 as an F-14 Instructor Pilot and department head.

In June 1981, LCDR Yakeley reported as Executive Officer to Fighter Squadron ONE ONE FOUR (VF-114) “Aardvarks” in the North Arabian Sea during mid-deployment on USS AMERICA. He was promoted to commander in October 1981. AMERICA returned to Norfolk in November 1981 and VF-114 to NAS Miramar. VF-114 was awarded the Golden Tailhook, the West Coast “High Noon” award for aerial gunnery, and the “Murtha” trophy for best Pacific Fleet squadron (despite being deployed on an East Coast carrier.) CDR Yakeley assumed command of VF-114 in August 1992, deploying in September 1982 on USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) for a Western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployment, including participation in one of the largest U.S. naval exercises since World War II, in conjunction with USS MIDWAY (CV-41) and USS CORAL SEA (CV-42) in the North Pacific in close proximity to the Soviet Union (much to their displeasure.) Returning from deployment in April 1983, VF-114 was again awarded the “High Noon” and “Murtha” prizes, the first F-14 squadron to be awarded both prizes in consecutive years.

In February 1984, Commander Yakeley reported to the Naval War College as a student. In June 1984, he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington D.C. as an Assistant Air Warfare Analyst (OP-902C2) and then in February 1985 as Head, Air Warfare Analysis Section (OP-90).

In May 1986, CDR Yakeley assumed command of VF-124, the West Coast Fleet F-14 Fleet Replacement Squadron, at NAS Miramar. On October 1987, he assumed command of Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) at NAS Miramar. He was promoted to captain in October 1988. In July 1989, he was temporarily assigned to Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific (COMNAVAIRPAC) for an air wing command training track.

In November 1989, Captain Yakeley assumed command of Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN (CVW-14) at NAS Miramar, embarking on USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62) in June 1990 for an Indian Ocean deployment. INDEPENDENCE was the first carrier to respond to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, on station in the Gulf of Oman within two days. On 2 October 1990, INDEPENDENCE became the first carrier to enter the Persian Gulf since 1974. Supporting sea control and maritime interdiction operations in Operation Desert Shield, INDEPENDENCE was on station for 112 days, returning to San Diego in December 1990, having been relieved by USS MIDWAY (CV-41) and USS RANGER (CV-61) in the Persian Gulf (and USS SARATOGA (CV-60) and USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) in the Red Sea.) (That the Navy continued to rotate carriers at regular 6-month intervals even in the run up to Desert Storm confounded U.S. Central Command.)

In July 1991, CAPT Yakeley was assigned as the Deputy Director of the White House Military Office as the senior military officer, serving in both the President George H. W. Bush and President Bill Clinton administrations. He was promoted to rear admiral (lower half) on 1 October 1993. He was then temporarily administratively assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command while serving as Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force Southwest Asia at Eskan Village, Saudi Arabia, charged with enforcing the Southern No-fly Zone in Iraq (Operation Southern Watch.)

In March 1994, RDML Yakeley assumed command of Carrier Group THREE (COMCARGRU 3) at NAS Alameda, embarking on USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN for a Western Pacific and Indian Ocean/Persian Gulf deployment in April-September 1995. The ABRAHAM LINCOLN Battle Group was the first to integrate female aviators, including the first loss, F-14 pilot LT Kara Hultgreen, during pre-deployment work-ups in October 1994.

In July 1995, RDML Yakeley reported to Commander-in-Chief U.S. Pacific Command at Director for Operations (J3) at Camp Smith, Oahu, Hawaii, just in time for the “Third Taiwan Straits Crisis” when U.S. Navy forces deployed in reaction to People’s Republic of China intimidating missile tests around Taiwan and massive troop buildup ashore, leading to the transit of the Taiwan Strait by USS NIMITZ (CVN-78) and Battle Group in December 1995 and again in March 1996, while numerous other U.S. Navy ships operated in the vicinity of Taiwan in support. He was promoted to rear admiral (two star) on 1 July 1996.

In September 1996, RADM Yakeley returned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as Director Programming Division (N-80)/Director Navy Program Information Center where he was responsible for the Navy’s $105B/year and $675B FYDP budgets, as the Navy began to slowly recover from the Post-Cold War “Peace Dividend” budget cut-backs. He retired on 1 March 1999.

During his career, RADM Yakeley amassed 6,500 flight hours and 1,250 carrier recoveries.

RADM Yakeley’s awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (two awards),Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards,) Air Medal with Numeral “7”, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, Joint Meritorious Unit Award (two awards), Navy Unit Commendation (two awards), Meritorious Unit Commendation (two awards), Navy Expeditionary Medal (two awards), National Defense Service Medal (two awards), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (three awards), Vietnam Service Medal (three campaign stars), Southwest Asia Service Medal (two campaign stars), Humanitarian Service Medal (two awards), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (four awards), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Expert Rifleman Medal, and Expert Pistol Shot Medal.

After retiring from active duty, RADM Yakeley did consulting work, including for the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory on precision strike and power projection projects. He then worked for many years with Computer Sciences Corporation.

Funeral services will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined.

Our wardroom has lost yet another of our Vietnam War heroes, who answered the Nation’s call and unflinchingly did their duty. “Spook” Yakeley joined the Navy with the war already on and chose to become a pilot knowing full-well he would be called to combat. Instead, he was apparently so good in the cockpit that the Navy first assigned him to be a jet training Instructor Pilot. Then he was sent to war, on an East Coast carrier deployment (USS AMERICA) to Vietnam coinciding with the North Vietnamese massive “Easter Offensive” resulting in some of the most intense strike operations and the most intense air-to-air action of the entire war. He flew 125 combat missions, earning multiple combat awards while keeping enemy aircraft at bay. His next tour as the first acceptance test pilot for the new F-14 Tomcat fighter set the course of the rest of his career with close association with the fielding, operational development and employment of the F-14 through multiple tours. His XO/CO tour (VF-114) was spectacular, with two consecutive “best squadron the Pacific Fleet” awards (and two consecutive aerial gunnery awards.) This led to command of the F-14 Fleet Replacement Squadron and then TOPGUN. He was an early “Super CAG” (O-6 Air Wing Command) on the first carrier to respond to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait (and rotated home before Desert Storm, to the dismay of CENTCOM and probably the Air Wing.) Although it was apparently extremely difficult to pry him out of a cockpit, he did well in the rarified atmosphere of a White House tour, making flag and serving as Deputy JTF-SWA enforcing the Southern No-fly Zone in Iraq, then taking the ABRAHAM LINCOLN Battle Group on a successful WestPac/IO/Persian Gulf deployment, and then CINCPAC J3 just in time for the most intense Taiwan Straits Crisis since the late 1950’s. Then the vortex of Washington drew him back to be in charge of the Navy’s budget during the tumultuous late 1990’s. His impact on the Navy was profound, especially with the F-14 (I would note that the F-14’s had evolved with the best system and the most accurate bombing during Operation Allied Force in 1999, even with the oldest F-14’s in service.) The Navy is grateful for his distinguished service and the sacrifice of his family that enabled him to do so.

Rest in peace Admiral Yakeley

Very respectfully,

Sam

Samuel J. Cox (SES)

RADM, USN (Ret)

Director of Naval History

Curator for the Navy

Director Naval History and Heritage Command