Lieutenant Colonel Adrian R. Evangelista, a native of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, was born in Saipan and raised in Tinian.  He graduated from Tinian High School in June 2000, commissioned in May 2005, and was designated a Naval Aviator in April 2008.

In December 2008, Lieutenant Colonel Evangelista joined the Dragons of HMM-265, MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, for service as a CH-46E pilot.  He deployed with HMM-265(REIN) on the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), participating in multiple exercises and humanitarian relief operations.  He held multiple billets in Operations and Maintenance.

In July 2012, he joined the Red Lions of VMM-363 in MCAS Miramar, CA and began MV-22B pilot transition training.  As a Red Lion, he was the Current Operations Officer.

In July 2013, Lieutenant Colonel Evangelista returned to Okinawa and joined the Tiger family of VMM-262. He deployed with VMM-262(REIN) on the 31st MEU, participating in multiple exercises and humanitarian relief operations.  As a Tiger, he held numerous billets to include Aircraft Maintenance Officer (AMO) for the MEU Aviation Combat Element (ACE).

In June 2017, Lieutenant Colonel Evangelista attended Resident Command and Staff College at Marine Corps University in Quantico, VA.

In May 2018, he joined the Greyhawks of VMM-161 in MCAS Miramar, CA and assumed the AMO billet.  In September 2019, he deployed with the Grewhawks to the Middle East, forming the ACE of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crises Response – Central Command.  Upon returning in June 2020, he served as Executive Officer.

In March 2021, Lieutenant Colonel Evangelista reported to the Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Headquarters Marine Corps, Pentagon to assume duties as International Plans and Policies Officer.  In October 2021, he was promoted to his current rank.

In May 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Evangelista returned to Okinawa and assumed duties as Commanding Officer of Personnel Support Detachment, MAG-36.

In May 2023, Lieutenant Colonel Evangelista assumed command of VMM-262 – “The Flying Tigers!”

Lieutenant Colonel Evangelista is a graduate of Expeditionary Warfare School (Non-Resident), Naval Aviation Safety Officer School, Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (2-11), and Annapolis (‘05).