Yates bids farewell to Army aviation

Roger Yates has a number of things in mind for his retirement. Setting the alarm clock is not one of them.

Yates, who served as director of Policy, Plans and Programs for the U.S. Army Aeronautical Services Agency at Fort Belvoir, retired at the end of June after more than 40 years of active-duty and federal service.

He first began serving his country in 1967 as an explosives ordnance demolition Soldier.

After being drafted, which he jokingly refers to as an Army invitation, his first major assignment was to Germany with the Berlin Brigade as a heavy fire team leader. Though, it was during the first of two tours in Vietnam where he got his first real taste of aviation as he served as an adviser and later an aircraft scheduler.

"I always had a semi-interest in aviation while growing up. So, that was just fine by me," Yates said. "It also worked to my benefit as the Army paid you $150 more a month for doing aviation. By today's standards, that doesn't sound like much. But, it helped back then."

In 1970, Yates began in earnest what would be a lifetime of significant contributions to Army aviation. He graduated from Air Traffic Control School and was immediately given control of all seven of Fort Rucker's (Ala.) helicopter gunnery ranges, in addition to two of its largest staging fields.

After a successful tour completion, he was reassigned to the 101st Airborne Division and deployed to Vietnam for a second tour of combat duty. It was during this tour that he served as air traffic control chief for seven towers and two radar facilities, while also training more than 100 new graduate controllers.

"I never thought of staying in the Army longer than two or three years. My interest in aviation grew over time and I thought this would be a great way to make a contribution to my country. So, I decided to stay with it," Yates said. "Here I am all these years later. I didn't plan it that way. But, I'm sure thankful for all of it."

After spending 20 years in the Army, Yates retired and began working as a civilian where his contributions were felt just as equally. As a member of USAASA, he has led numerous endeavors in program management and has served as the lead representative for many more. They include the field development of aircraft, radio systems, electronic and non-electronic combat identification measures and establishing the Army's federal radio and master navigation plan.

Yates also helped orchestrate the Army's effort in writing the Emergency Control of Air Traffic - a joint preparedness plan for actions to be taken by the DoD, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Communications Commission in the interest of national security and to control air traffic under emergency conditions.

"This came about as a result of 9/11. As we learned that day, there are many more unknown than known threats in the world," Yates said. "Safety is our number one priority. That will never change."

Because, according to Yates, people count more than anything else. That's what has driven him in his career and one of the things he will miss most about his work. Even when hitting the links at the North Post Golf Course, or delving into other interests like sailing or scuba diving.

"I have a very supportive family and I'm looking forward to spending more time with them. I'm especially looking forward to retiring my alarm clock," Yates said while laughing. "The work I've done has been refreshing, interesting and new. Though, what I love most is the concept of family within the community and with those you work with. I'm going to miss that."