Commander, Naval Air Forces

Captain Roy J. Kelley, U.S. Navy

Chief of Staff
Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet

Captain Kelley was born in Newark, Ohio, and graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business.  He received his commission from Aviation Officer Candidate School in February 1985 and was designated a Naval Aviator at NAS Kingsville in August 1986.  After receiving his wings of gold, Captain Kelley reported to Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101), the Fleet Readiness Squadron (FRS), for training in the F-14 Tomcat.

Following FRS training, Captain Kelley joined the Diamondbacks of VF-102 where he deployed to the North Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean aboard USS AMERICA (CV 66).  In July 1990, he went back to VF-101 as an instructor and demonstration pilot.  His next sea tour (March 1993) was with the Pukin’ Dogs of VF-143 where he served as the Training Officer and Quality Assurance Officer.  During this tour he made the maiden deployment aboard the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) and flew Operation DENY FLIGHT, SOUTHERN WATCH and VIGILANT WARRIOR missions over Iraq and Bosnia.

Captain Kelley detached VF-143 in August of 1995 and reported to the Swordsmen of VF-32 for his department head tour.  While there he served as the Safety and Maintenance Officer, deploying on USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) again flying missions over Bosnia and Iraq.  In June of 1997 he reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, DC and Millington, Tennessee as the F-14 Air Combat Placement Officer. 

Captain Kelley reported to the Diamondbacks in August 2000 as the Executive Officer, and took over as Commanding Officer August 2001.  He then led the Diamondbacks through a record setting combat deployment onboard THEODORE ROOSEVELT, September 2001 – March 2002.  The Diamondback’s flew a total of 4,740 hours, 3,346 combat hours and dropped 645 bombs as they participated in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  They were awarded the Battle Efficiency Award, RADM Clarence Wade McClusky Award, Golden Wrench Award, and Navy Unit Commendation under his leadership.

In March 2004 Captain Kelley graduated from the Naval War College with a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.  After graduation, he served on the Joint Staff, J-3, Joint Operations Directorate, where he coordinated operational plans and briefed deployment orders to the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  In August 2006 he reported the Navy Staff, Air Warfare Division (N-88) as the F/A-18 Requirements Officer.  He reported to Carrier Air Wing Seven August 2008 and took command in December 2009.  He deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM onboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) from February–July 2009 and January–July 2010.  CVW-7 and  USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER won the Ramage Award for best CV/CVW team in 2009 and 2010.

Captain Kelley reported to Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet as Chief of Staff in August 2011.