Captain Douglas A. Yesensky  United States Navy Retired
Captain Yesensky graduated from Idaho State University. In August 1969, he reported to NAS Pensacola, for flight training as an Aviation Officer Candidate. He received his wings in January 1972. Captain Yesensky deployed aboard USS KITTY HAWK (CVA-63) with HC-1 DET-1 for Tonkin Gulf combat operations. He then flew in the prime recovery helicopter for the recovery of Skylab II, joined USS MIDWAY (CV-41) for home porting in Japan and in 1975 flew in the aerial evacuation of Saigon from the deck of MIDWAY.
In June of 1975 he was assigned as a flight instructor with HT-18 at NAS Whiting Field. He then reported to HS-7 in 1978 for his department head tour embarked in USS SARATOGA (CV-60) for two Mediterranean deployments. He attended Armed Forces Staff College from January to June 1981. Upon graduation Captain Yesensky reported to HS-10 as an instructor pilot, operations and training officer.
Captain Yesensky served on the staff of COMASWWINGPAC as project manager for acquisition and construction of the underwater acoustical ASW range off the Southern California coast from August 1983 to August 1984.
In October 1984 he reported to HS-8 as the executive officer and assumed command in April 1986. While with the EIGHTBALLERS he made two Indian Ocean/North Arabian Sea deployments, a Northern Pacific deployment, and participated in Operation Ernest Will embarked in USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64). Captain Yesensky reported in March 1988 to USS NEW ORLEANS (LPH-11) as air officer, making a WESTPAC float. January 1990 had Captain Yesensky reporting to USS OKINAWA (LPH-3) as executive officer and USS OKINAWA participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
He next reported to the Naval War College in November 1991 and graduated November 1992 with a Masters of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies. Captain Yesensky next commanded Recruit Training Command Orlando from April 1993 through June 1995. He then served as Base Closure and Realignment Officer for NTC Orlando through July 1997. Captain Yesensky was then assigned as a professor in the National Security Decision Making curriculum at the Naval War College for three academic years.
He retired from the Navy on 1 February 2000. His retirement years have seen him working for an O&M contractor as director of operations for the SOCAL Range complex, Naval War College adjunct professor and contract simulator instructor in SH-60F/F/S with HS-10 and HSC-3 thru 2014.
Captain Yesensky has been awarded the Legion of Merit (2), Meritorious Service Medal (3), Navy Commendation Medal (2), Navy Achievement Medal (2), Combat Action ribbon and various unit and campaign medals and commendations. He has amassed over 4,000 hours in the Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopter and over 5,900 total flight hours.

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