Jay Neely Mitchell

COLONEL JAY NEELY "COACH" MITCHELL
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959
Cadet Squadron: CS-12

Jay Neely "Mitch" Mitchell was born on January 1, 1937, and raised on a cattle ranch just outside Artesia, New Mexico. Growing up with a strong work ethic and a drive for excellence, he graduated from Artesia High School in 1955 before receiving a Congressional appointment to the newly formed United States Air Force Academy.

As a member of USAFA’s historic inaugural graduating Class of 1959, Jay was a standout member of Cadet Squadron 12. Nicknamed "Plowboy" on the gridiron for his relentless drive, he was a talented athlete who played football, ran track, and served as a team manager. Beyond athletics, Jay possessed a rich baritone singing voice and played the piano—talents he used to help found and perform with the Academy’s original Cadet Chorale. He also participated in lightweight division boxing. Throughout his cadet years, Jay was widely known by his peers as energetic, warm, understanding, and deeply dedicated to any task put before him.

Following graduation and commissioning in June 1959, Jay entered pilot training at Webb Air Force Base, Texas. He earned his wings and was known by USAF call sign "Coach," throughout his flying career. His early Operational assignments sent him to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, with the 12th Tactical Fighter Squadron, where he deployed to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand during the early stages of the Vietnam War.

After returning to the Academy to serve as Aide to the Superintendent from 1965 to 1967, Coach was selected for the prestigious USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School (Test Pilot School) at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Equipped with elite test qualifications, he returned to Southeast Asia in 1968 as a fighter pilot and Standardization/Evaluation Officer with the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron out of Korat.

Coach’s operational test expertise was utilized across major Air Force Systems Command organizations throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He performed developmental flight testing at Eglin Air Force Base, served on the staff at Headquarters AFSC at Andrews AFB, and served with the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFTEC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1977, he returned to Kadena Air Base as Chief of Safety for the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing and went on to command the 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron from 1979 to 1980.

In the final stretch of his 31-year career, Colonel Mitchell led crucial developmental initiatives as Director of Developmental Test & Evaluation at Wright-Patterson AFB, followed by serving as Director of the Test Field Command for the Defense Nuclear Agency at Kirtland Air Force Base.

Colonel Mitchell retired from active duty in June 1986. He and his family chose Albuquerque, New Mexico, as their home. In retirement, Coach pursued a lifelong passion for woodworking by launching MitchCraft Enterprises Custom Cabinets and Furniture, operating the successful business until 2005.

Jay married Virginia Scott in March 1961, and together they raised three children—Michael, Sue, and Margo. Following Virginia’s passing in October 2000, Jay was blessed to find love again and married Barbara Smith in June 2004. Jay "Coach" Mitchell passed away on September 14, 2013, surrounded by his loving family.


EDUCATION

• 1955: Artesia High School, Artesia, New Mexico
• 1959: Bachelor of Science, United States Air Force Academy (CS-12)
• 1960: USAF Primary & Basic Pilot Training, Webb AFB, TX
• 1968: USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School (Test Pilot School), Edwards AFB, CA

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

Year Duty / Position Unit / Location
1959 – 1960 Pilot Training Webb Air Force Base, Texas
1961 – 1965 Fighter Pilot 12th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan / Korat RTAFB, Thailand
1965 – 1967 Aide to the Superintendent United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
1967 – 1968 Test Pilot School Student Aerospace Research Pilot School, Edwards AFB, California
1968 – 1969 Pilot / Standardization & Evaluation Officer 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat RTAFB, Thailand
1969 – 1971 Test Pilot Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
1971 – 1974 Staff Officer Headquarters AFSC, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland
1974 – 1977 Test Pilot AFTEC, Albuquerque, New Mexico
1977 – 1979 Chief of Safety 18th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kadena AB, Japan
1979 – 1980 Commander 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan
1980 – 1984 Director, Developmental Test & Evaluation Aeronautical Systems Division (ASD), Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
1984 – 1986 Director, Test Field Command Defense Nuclear Agency, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico
1986 – 2005 Owner / Craftsman MitchCraft Enterprises Custom Cabinets & Furniture, Albuquerque, NM

MEDALS AND DECORATIONS

• Legion of Merit (1)
• Distinguished Flying Cross (1)
• Meritorious Service Medal (4)
• Air Medal (11)
• Air Force Commendation Medal (3)