Major Jake "Taco" Delahanty is a native of Apple Valley, MN where he graduated from Eastview High School in 2009. In 2013, he graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science in Management and Marketing. In March 2015, he earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps through the Officer Candidate Course.
In March 2015, he transferred to The Basic School at Camp Barrett, Quantico, VA to complete training. He reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, FL for Aviation Preflight Indoctrination in October 2015. He then reported to NAS Corpus Christi, TX to VT-28 and completed Primary Flight Training in the T-6B "Texan II" in September 2016. In October 2016, he reported to HT-8 at NAS Whiting Field, FL for Advanced Flight Training in the TH-57B/C and earned his designation as a Naval Aviator in July 2017. 1stLt Delahanty then reported to HMLAT-303 in Camp Pendleton, CA as a replacement pilot in the AH-1Z "Viper". Upon completion of training at HMLAT-303, he was designated an AH-1Z Pilot Qualified in Model.
In 2018,1stLt Delahanty reported to HMLA-367 "Scarface" at MCBH Kaneohe Bay, HI. There he served as an Operations Schedule Writer, Corrosion Control OIC, Airframes Division OIC, S-4 OIC and AH-1Z Instructor Pilot. In 2019, he deployed in support of Marine Rotational Force - Darwin with VMM-363 (REIN) serving as the NATOPS Officer. After returning from deployment, Captain Delahanty supported several exercises and detachments throughout the Pacific to include RIMPAC, Bouganville, and live fire exercises at Pacific Missiles Range Facility Barking Sands. In the spring of 2021, he attended Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-21 and earned the designations of WTI, Flight Lead, Defensive Air Combat Maneuvering Instructor (DACM-I) and Forward Air Controller (Airborne) Instructor (FAC(A)-I).
Captain Delahanty reported to HMLA-775 "Coyotes" at Camp Pendleton, CA in January 2022. There he served as the Pilot Training Officer, AH-1Z Instructor Pilot and the squadron NATOPS Instructor. In September 2023, Captain Delahanty was selected for the Aviation Transition-Conversion Program to fly the KC-130J.
In January 2023, he reported to MCAS Cherry Point, NC as a replacement pilot at the KC-130J Fleet Replacement Detachment. Upon completion of training, he reported to VMGR-153 "Hercules" at MCBH Kaneohe Bay, HI. There Major Delahanty served as the NATOPS Officer, Assistant Maintenance Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, Executive Officer and KC-130J Instructor Pilot. Throughout his time at VMGR-153, he's supported numerous exercises, detachments and humanitarian relief throughout the First Island Chain and the Pacific.
Major Delahanty is a graduate of the Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare School. He has accumulated over 1,800 flight hours in various Type/Model/Series aircraft and his awards include: National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal.