Portrayed by David Chokachi
Race	Human
Sex	Male
Birthplace	Newport Beach, California, Earth
Age	30 years
Height	5 ft. 10 in.
Weight	152 lb.
Hair	Blonde
Eyes	Blue-gray
Rank	Marine 1st Lieutenant
Position	Hammerhead Squadron Pilot

Background

Jake, or 'Jakey' as he's known to very close friends, was born in 2355 in Newport Beach, California, Earth as the only child of Todd and Amber McIlhenny. The family had been established in the area since the mid-20th century and held great wealth. Jake could have remained among the idle rich but early on had proven himself to be a man of action. He began surfing at the age of six and by the time he had graduated from high school was a champion surfer, having surfed in major competitions throughout Earth and four other planets.

Though appealing as a career, pro surfing lacked neither the stability nor the respectability needed to maintain proper social standing amongst Jake's class. Social position means nothing to Jake, but in an effort to please his parents he attempted college. Jake was a superior student at Berkeley but found himself frustrated with college life, and in 2375 applied for transfer to Starfleet Academy. His parents were ecstatic with his choice: Starfleet offered the ultimate in prestige and respectability amongst their elite social circle.

Jake, being Jake, threw a monkey wrench into their plans: rather than opt for a Fleet commission, he accepted a commission in the Marines. He found the Marine Corps much more likely to give him the physical rush he needed to stay motivated and happy. After a brief tour as an infantry officer, Jake was accepted to flight school in 2380 and was reassigned as a fighter pilot later that year.

As a pilot, Jake's instructors noted that he had sharp reflexes (honed over a lifetime surfing and participating in other sports) and a keen understanding of fighter combat. As an officer, Jake has been somewhat of a discipline problem. Jake manages to stay just inside the regulations by not hotdogging too much or getting into fights when his superiors are watching. But his incorrigeable, anti-authoritarian streak frequently shows itself, particularly when faced with a martinet for a commander.

An incident with the 228th Squadron ('Crimson Fists') nearly cost Jake his commission in late 2382, but Starfleet Command took notice of his near-preternatural flying ability and assigned him to a posting more suited to his talents and personality: the Starfleet Proving Grounds at Ceres. There, Jake was assigned as a test pilot. The past two years have consisted of evaluation and testing of the Yellowjacket fighter, the newest small combat spacecraft in Starfleet's arsenal.

With the ending of the test phase of the Yellowjacket program, Jake had managed to (mostly) rehabilitate his career. He requested and received an assignment to a squadron using the new fighters, and thus was assigned to the 58th Squadron ('Hammerheads') in 2385.