Cmdr. James R. Beaty is a native of West Lafayette, Indiana. In May 2005, he received his commission and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Classical Studies from Purdue University. He was designated a Naval Flight Officer in November 2007. In 2016, he graduated from the Marine Corps University Command and Staff College with a Master of Military Studies degree.
Following initial training in the E-2 Hawkeye, he joined Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW)-125 in Norfolk, Virginia, where he participated in counter-narcotics missions in the Caribbean; Operation Unified Response, coordinating relief efforts in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake; and a deployment on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) where he supported Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn. He also deployed with VAW-117 on board USS Nimitz (CVN 68), supporting operations in Afghanistan.
In 2014, he reported to VAW-116 in Point Mugu, California and deployed aboard Carl Vinson, flying missions over Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. In 2016, Beaty reported to VAW-115 on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and was stationed at Atsugi, Japan. In 2022, Beaty reported to USS Nimitz as the Assistant Air Officer (“Mini Boss”) and deployed with Nimitz on its 2022-2023 7th Fleet cruise.
Ashore, Beaty served as a Weapons and Tactics Instructor at the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School in Fallon, Nevada. Following his department head tour, he served as the requirements officer for Advanced Tactical Data Link Systems on the Chief of Naval Operations staff (OPNAV N2N6).
Beaty has accrued over 2,000 total flight hours, including over 300 aircraft carrier flights, as part of a crew. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal (4), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3), and various other unit citations and campaign ribbons.
On April 1, 2024, Beaty assumed the duties and responsibilities as Executive Officer at U.S. Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan.
Last Updated: 3 April 2024