2020-2021 Military Fellows

LTC Nylander entered the U.S. Army in January 1991 and served as an Infantryman from Rifleman through Platoon Sergeant in Kentucky, Alaska, and Georgia before he received his commission as an Infantry Officer from Officer Candidate School in April 2000.

LTC Nylander’s previous assignments include Rifle Platoon Leader and S-3 Air in 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry, Fort Wainwright, Alaska; Combat Techniques Trainer, Battalion S-1, and Company Commander in 5th Ranger Training Battalion, Dahlonega, Georgia; Assistant S-3 and Company Commander in 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry (Airborne), Fort Richardson, Alaska; Transition Team Chief in RC-West, Afghanistan; G35 Plans and Future Operations Officer for United States Army Alaska, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK; Infantry Advisor to the Royal Saudi Land Forces Southern Area Command and Royal Saudi Land Forces Infantry Institute for the United States Military Training Mission, Khamis, Saudi Arabia; Battalion Operations Officer and Executive Officer in 6th Ranger Training Battalion, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; advisor to the Royal Saudi Land Forces G3 and to the Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Corps for the United States Military Training Mission, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; J33, Chief of Current Operations for Special Operations Command South, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida; Battalion Commander for 1st Battalion, 306th Infantry Regiment, 188th Infantry Brigade, Fort Stewart, Georgia; and Deputy Commander, 188th Infantry Brigade, Fort Stewart, Georgia. He has deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia.

LTC Nylander has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration. His military education includes Officer Candidate School, Infantry Officer Basic Course, Infantry Captain’s Career Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College, Ranger School, Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, Pathfinder School, Security Cooperation Management – Overseas Course, and the Foreign Security Forces Combat Advisor Course.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star (1 OLC), Purple Heart (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (6 OLC), Army Commendation Medal with V device for Valor, Army Commendation Medal (5 OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (11 OLC), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award (1 OLC), Navy Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Singapore Parachutist Badge, German Parachutist Badge, and Thai Parachutist Badge.

He is married to Anna Nylander of Dodge Center, Minnesota and they have one son, Kelby (26), and one daughter, Kalyn (23).

A native of Baltimore Maryland, Commander Yenias graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. CDR Yenias was designated a Naval Aviator in July 2003 after attending flight training at VT-2, VT-31, and VT-9. He completed the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) syllabus at VAW-120 in the E-2C Hawkeye and reported to the VAW-124 BEAR ACES in September 2004 where he deployed onboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) in support of Operation Iraqi/Enduring Freedom. During his tour with VAW-124 he served as Ground Safety Officer, Pilot Training Officer, and Quality Assurance Officer (QAO), as well as Carrier Air Wing EIGHT (CVW-8) Landing Signals Officer (LSO). His accomplishments earned him the honor of being selected as the 2007 SEA HAWKEYE PILOT OF THE YEAR as well as a designation as Air Wing Qualified Landing Signals Officer.

After his initial sea-tour, CDR Yenias was assigned as a FRS Instructor with the VAW-120 GREYHAWKS in Norfolk, Virginia from 2007 through 2010. While at VAW-120 he performed duties as Legal Officer, Carrier Qualification Assistant Officer-in-Charge, Carrier Qualification Instructor Pilot, E-2C Naval Air Training and Pacific Fleet E-2C NATOPS Evaluator. His efforts as a squadron instructor included flying over four separate Carrier Qualification Detachments, directly resulting in the qualification of numerous Replacement Pilots (RP’s).

CDR Yenias reported to Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander U.S. FIFTH Fleet located in Bahrain in December 2010. During his time there he served as the N81 Resources Officer in the Resources and Requirements (N8) Department and was a graduate of the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Joint Humanitarian Operations Course (JHOC).

In April of 2012 CDR Yenias reported to the LIBERTY BELLS of VAW-115 in Atsugi, Japan for his Operational Department Head tour after finishing refresher training in VAW-120. While assigned he served as Assistant Operations Officer, Administrative Officer, Iwo To (Iwo Jima) Detachment Officer-in-Charge, and Squadron Maintenance Officer from April 2012 through October 2014. During his tour the squadron deployed three times aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) to the Western Pacific, East Sea, Yellow Sea, and the South China Sea. The LIBERTY BELLS received the Joint Humanitarian Service Medal for performing Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief support during Operation Damayan; in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013. The squadron also won the prestigious Battle “E” Award.

CDR Yenias reported to the U.S. Naval War College in Newport Rhode Island in October of 2014 where he received his Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. He also completed Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase II and received an Additional Qualification Designator (AQD) for specializing in Asia-Pacific regional studies. While assigned to the Naval War College, CDR Yenias was a recipient of the James V. Forrestal Group Award for Excellence in Strategy Development and Force Planning.

CDR Yenias reported to Commander U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Stuttgart, Germany in December of 2015. He served in the J52 North/West Regional Engagements Division as the Nigeria Country Engagements Desk Officer. CDR Yenias reported to the VAW-115 LIBERTY BELLS in April of 2018 where he served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer for the squadron’s first deployment from its newest homeport in Point Mugu, California. He has been selected as the U.S. Navy’s Federal Executive Fellow and has been assigned to the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Commander Yenias has logged over 3000 flight hours, nearly 3000 E-2C flight hours. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (with two gold stars), Navy Achievement Medal (with one gold star), National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and numerous other unit and service awards. Together with his wife Kelley they have five children; Caleb (11yrs), Kara (9yrs), Micah (7yrs), Julia (5yrs), and Noah (3yrs).