By Daphne Burke, Public Affairs Specialist

Captain Karl E. Yeakel, USN, will assume command of Naval Air Depot, Jacksonville (NADEP JAX) when he officially relieves Captain Christopher Roum, USN, of his duties during ceremonies scheduled for Jan. 25. In the weeks following the Change of Command, Captain Roum will retire after nearly 30 years of honorable service.

The ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. in Hanger 140. The guest speaker will be Vice Adm. Joseph W. Dyer, Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).

Captain Roum assumed command of NADEP JAX on June 22, 2000, after 18 months as Executive Officer. Under Captain Roum's leadership, NADEP's accomplishments were many, including the implementation of the Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP II) program across all product lines and the NADEP-wide ISO 9001: 2000 certification. These accomplishments are major milestones that will contribute to the continued successful operations of the Depot.

In addition, NADEP JAX received several awards, such as, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Occupational Safety and Health Award, the CNO Environmental Award (second award), the CNO Aviation Safety Award (second consecutive year), the Rear Adm. Thompson Award for Excellence in Public Affairs; and NAVAIR Commander's Awards for Supporting the Warfighter, for Resources and Affordability Achievement, and for Supporting Our People.

Captain Roum's awards include: the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (with two gold stars), the Navy Meritorious Service Medal (with one gold star), the Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit.

Captain Yeakel was born in Port Arthur, TX and completed high school in Houston. He attended the University of Texas at Austin receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering in December 1977. After receiving his commission through the Aviation Reserve Officer Candidate Program, he reported to NAS Corpus Christi, TX for pilot training flying the T-28 and T-44 aircraft. Captain Yeakel received his wings in December 1979 and was named to the Commodore's List with Distinction upon graduation.

In January 1980, Captain Yeakel was ordered to Patrol Squadron Thirty, Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, FL for replacement pilot training in the P-3C and subsequently reported to the "Dragons" of Patrol Squadron Fifty-Six. Serving as the Readiness Officer and Aircraft Division Officer, he participated in deployments to the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and flew in support of numerous UNITAS XXIII detachments in South America. In August 1983, he attended Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA and received a Masters of Science degree in Space Systems in September 1985. Captain Yeakel was selected as an Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer (AEDO) in August 1985.

Captain Yeakel reported to Patrol Wing One Detachment Cubi Point, Philippines as the Assistant Operations Officer and ASW Watch Officer for Commander task Group 72.3 in December 1985. During his assignment, he served as Officer in Charge of numerous joint USN/Malaysian exercises and operational detachments conducting ASW surveillance of Soviet Forces in the South China Sea. In May 1987, he was reassigned to the Fleet Air Western Pacific Repair Activity (FAWPRA) Cubi Point where he served as the Officer in Charge of the Navy's only forward deployed aircraft depot repair facility.

Following refresher flight training in August 1989, he reported to Naval Aviation Depot (NADEP) Alameda, CA. While there, he served as the P-3 Projects Officer and Flight Check Department Head managing a complete range of depot operations on P-3 aircraft including the VP-3A Satellite Communications Upgrade, P-3C Update III and the EP-3E ARIES 11 Modification Program. In February 1992, Captain Yeakel was ordered to the staff of the Program Executive Officer Cruise Missiles Project, Command and Control Directorate (PMA-281) in Washington, D.C. Assigned as the TOMAHAWK Strike Coordination Module, TOMAHAWK Mission Distribution System and Advanced Technology Demonstration Projects Manager, he was responsible for managing the largest number of TOMAHAWK Cruise Missile Command and Control systems deployed in the fleet.

Captain Yeakel was selected to serve as the Executive Officer of the U.S. Naval Air Pacific Repair Activity (NAPRA), Atsugi, Japan where he reported for duty in September 1995. On January 14, 1997, he assumed command of NAPRA with the responsibility for global forward deployed aviation depot maintenance.

In July 1998, Captain Yeakel reported to the staff of the Assistant Commander for Aviation Depots, NAVAIR as the Executive Director for Aviation Depots. Selected for Major Command, he reported in June 2000 as the Executive Officer of NADEP JAX. Captain Yeakel will assume duties as Commanding Officer of NADEP JAX on January 25, 2002.

During his career, Captain Yeakel has accumulated over 3600 flight hours in different military and civilian aircraft. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (with two gold stars), Navy Commendation Medal (with one gold star), the Navy Achievement Medal, and various other unit and service commendations.

Captain Yeakel is married to the former Patti Post of Corpus Christi, Texas. Their son, Hans, and daughter, Kelsi reside with them in Jacksonville.