2005 Yelm graduate earns rank of naval commander

Jason Lacy, a 2005 Yelm graduate and area native, was promoted to the rank of naval commander in March.

He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering and then attended primary and advanced flight training in Pensacola, Florida, as a member of VT-3 and HT-28.

Then, in 2011, Lacy completed flight training and received his wings as a naval aviator before eventually being selected to fly the MH-53E Sea Dragon in Norfolk, Virginia. In 2012, Lacy was selected to join the Blackhawks of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures (HM-15), where he served until 2015.

During his time with HM-15, Lacy served as a legal officer, tactics officer and a naval air training and operating procedures standardization (NATOPS) officer. He also completed two deployments during his time with HM-15 to the Kingdom of Bahrain — an island located near Qatar and Saudi Arabia — along with participation in Operation Inherent Resolve, which had the mission of defeating the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Following his time with HM-15, Lacy served as a fleet replacement squadron (FRS) instructor at Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Twelve (HM-12), where he helped establish the squadron after it was disestablished years earlier. With HM-12, Lacy served as NATOPS officer, 200 and 300 maintenance division officer, and was the first FRS standardization officer in the HM community.

Then, from 2019 to 2022, Lacy was assigned to the Vanguard of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Fourteen, where he served as the squadron weapons and tactics instructor, reserve component officer in charge, DET 2A assistant officer in charge, and maintenance officer. During his tour, he deployed to the Republic of Korea and participated in several multi-national mine countermeasures exercises.

Following his stint in 2022, Lacy worked in the J-8 on the Joint Staff dealing with global force management until 2025.

During his time in the Navy, Lacy has accumulated 2,000 hours in various naval aircrafts. His awards and decorations include the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (two), Navy Achievement Medal and various campaign medals.

Lacy lives in Lemoore, California, with his wife, Celeste, and two children, Jason Jr., 5, and Charlotte, 3.