COLONEL JEFFREY B. “NOZZY” YEATES
Colonel Jeff Yeates is currently serving as the deputy
commander, 142nd Wing, Portland Air National Guard Base,
Ore. He leads over 1400 personnel providing operational
combat power through three major weapon systems
spanning the air, cyber, and special warfare domains. The
readiness of wing personnel under his charge facilitate
worldwide deployments in support of national strategic
objectives and domestic operations as directed by the
Governor.
Col Yeates enlisted in the Air National Guard in 2000 as an
Aircrew Life Support technician with the 142nd Fighter Wing.
He served as a drill status guardsmen while attending the
University of Washington, graduating in 2003 with a
bachelor’s degree in economics and minor in International
Relations. Following his commission at The Academy of
Military Science in April 2004, Col Yeates graduated from
Vance Air Force Base (AFB) in July of 2005. He is a Command
Pilot with more than 2000 hours, including 15 years as an
Instructor and Evaluator in the F-15 Eagle. Previously Col
Yeates served as commander of the 142nd Operations Group,
Portland, Ore.
Col Yeates has deployed four times for contingency operations in the Central and European theaters and is a graduate of the Advanced Tactical Leadership Course, Al Dhafra Air Base, Abu Dhabi. He most recently commanded the 123rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron in support of Operation Noble Eagle. In a
civilian capacity, Col Yeates is a pilot for a major airline and has flown the 717, 737, 757, 767, A320, and A330.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Arts, Economics, University of Washington, Seattle
2004 The Academy of Military Science, McGee-Tyson ANG Base, Knoxville, Tenn.
2007 Fighter Electronic Combat Officer Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2017 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2018 Squadron Commander’s Course, Andrews AFB, Md.
2020 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2022 Commander Leadership Course, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. June 2000 – July 2000, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. July 2000 – September 2000, Student, Technical Training School, Sheppard AFB, Texas
3. September 2000 – March 2004, Aircrew Life Support Technician, Portland ANG Base, Portland, Ore.
4. March 2004 – April 2004, Trainee, The Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson ANG Base, Knoxville, Tenn.
5. June 2004 – July 2005, Student Pilot, Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, Okla.
6. August 2005 – September 2005, Student Fighter Pilot, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Moody AFB, Ga.
7. December 2005 – July 2006, F-15 Student Pilot, F-15 Basic Course, Kingsley Field, Ore.
8. July 2006 – July 2012, F-15 Instructor Pilot, 123rd Fighter Squadron, Portland ANG Base, Ore.
9. August 2012 – January 2014, Advanced Programs Manager, 142nd Fighter Wing, Portland ANG Base, Ore.
10. January 2014 – April 2015, Chief of Training, 142nd Fighter Wing, Portland ANG Base, Ore.
11. April 2015 – July 2017, Chief of Scheduling, 142nd Fighter Wing, Portland ANG Base, Ore.
12. July 2017 –July 2018, Operations Support Officer, 142nd Operation Support Flight, Portland ANG Base, Ore.
13. July 2018 – March 2020, Commander, 142nd Operation Support Flight, Portland ANG Base, Portland, Ore.
14. March 2020 – April 2020, Commander, 123rd EFS, Savannah CRTC, Savannah, Ga.
15. April 2020 – August 2023, Director of Operations (A3), NGOR-AC, Salem, Ore.
16. August 2023 – December 2025, Commander, 142nd Operations Group, Portland ANG Base, Portland, Ore.
17. December 2025 – Present, Deputy Commander, 142nd Wing, Portland ANG Base, Portland, Ore.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 2,000
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38C, F-15A/B/C/D/EX
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
AF Outstanding Unit Award with six oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
AF Longevity Service with four oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one oak leaf cluster
AF Training Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Oregon National Guard Superior Unit Citation with one oak leaf cluster
Oregon Faithful Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2005 AETC Commander’s Cup
2005 JSUPT Distinguished Graduate
2005 JSUPT Leadership Award
2005 JSUPT Flight Commander’s Award
2006 F-15 B-Course Distinguished Graduate
2006 F-15 B-Course Top Gun
2006 F-15 B-Course Top Academic Award
2007-2010 123d FS Quarterly Top Gun
2012 123rd FS Instructor Pilot of the Year
2015 123rd FS Instructor Pilot of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic Jan. 19, 2000
Airman 1st Class June 6, 2000
Senior Airman July 1, 2001
Staff Sergeant March 1, 2004
Second Lieutenant April 23, 2004
First Lieutenant April 23, 2006
Captain April 23, 2008
Major Nov. 7, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel March 04, 2018
Colonel May 26, 2022
(Current as of February 2026)