Christopher H. Yates

Executive Officer - Nashville

14 September 2022

CDR Christopher H. Yates, USN, received an active duty commission through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program at the University of Missouri in December 2006.

CDR Christopher H. Yates, USN, received an active duty commission through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program at the University of Missouri in December 2006. He was assigned to flight training in Pensacola, Florida, where he attended Aviation Preflight Indoctrination before completing Primary Flight Training with Training Squadron TWO (VT-2) and Advanced Flight Training with Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHT (HT-8). He earned his wings of gold in April of 2009.

CDR Yates completed Fleet Replacement Pilot training for the MH-60S in 2011 and was assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron SIX (HSC-6) attached to Carrier Air Wing ELEVEN (CVW-11). He deployed aboard the USNS RAINIER (T-AOE 7) and USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) to the 5th Fleet and 7th Fleet AORs in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
After successful completion of his West Coast tour, CDR Yates received orders as a helicopter flight instructor at NAS Whiting Field in Milton, FL, from March 2014 to October 2016, where he flew the mighty TH-57B/C for Helicopter Training Squadron TWENTY-EIGHT (HT-28).

In October 2016, CDR Yates was assigned as the Safety Department Head aboard USS KEARSARGE (LHD 3) in Norfolk, VA. There, he participated in the Defense Support of Civil Authorities humanitarian response to Hurricane Maria in the Virgin Island and Puerto Rico.

CDR Yates left KEARSARGE in February of 2018 to attend MH-60S refresher training with follow-on orders to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron FIVE (HSC-5). Attached to CVW-7 aboard the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72), he deployed to 5th Fleet in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and follow-on contingency operations in 2019. Upon returning to the United States, HSC-5 was assigned as the primary East Coast COVID-19 response squadron and maintained a prepared-to-deploy status from April to July of 2020.

CDR Yates joined the Joint Staff, J7 Directorate in Suffolk, VA in December 2020 where he served as an Action Officer supporting JCS priority efforts until December 2023.
CDR Yates is married to Erin Yates of Babylon, NY. They have two wonderful children, Connor and Hannah.