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Command Biography
MWHS-2 Commanding Officer
Lieutenant Colonel Anthony J. Cesaro

Lieutenant Colonel Cesaro is a native of Illinois. He attended Marquette University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 2006 and reported to the Basic Officer Course in Quantico, Virginia, While at The Basic School, he selected for aviation and reported to Pensacola, Florida for training in July 2007 and earned his Naval Flight Officer wings in August 2009. Upon completion of EA-6B Prowler Electronic Counter Measure Officer (ECMO) training in October 2010, he reported to VMAQ-4, MAG-14 in Cherry Point, North Carolina. 

During his tour with VMAQ-4, Captain Cesaro deployed three times. First, in 2011 he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Next, he deployed in 2013 to Iwakuni, Japan as part of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP). Last, he deployed in 2014 to the Persian Gulf in support of Operations FREEDOM SENTINEL and INHERENT RESOLVE. Captain Cesaro served as the Squadron Schedules Officer, Logistics Officer, Maintenance Airframes Officer, Pilot Training Officer, and Assistant Operations Officer. After being selected on the Commandants Career Level Education Board (CCLEB) for Foreign Area Officer (FAO) training, he reported to the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California in June 2015. 

Major Cesaro earned his Master of Arts in National Security Affairs and International Relations in 2016 from NPS. Following, he attended Turkish language training at the Defense Language Institute (DLI) Washington. In August 2017, he reported to the George C. Marshall Center for Eurasian Studies in Garmisch, Germany for In-Region Training as a FAO. Following, Major Cesaro reported to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to serve as the Air Officer. 

In June 2018, Major Cesaro reported to the 31st MEU. While there, he served as the MEU Air Officer and Maritime Raid Force Commander over four patrols. He assumed the role of MEU Operations Officer in July 2020 and deployed twice more. He reported to Deputy Commandant for Aviation at HQMC in the summer 2021. 

While serving in the Cunningham Group as the Electromagnetic Warfare subject matter expert for the Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Major Cesaro was selected for command of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron Two and he reported for his present duties in the spring of 2022.

In addition to his primary Military Occupational Specialty, Lieutenant Colonel Cesaro is a Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Forward Air Controller, and Eurasian FAO. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (7th Award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He was the Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) 2015 Naval Flight Officer of the Year. 

2nd Marine Aircraft Wing