Lieutenant Commander Anthony M. Passalacqua is a native of New York. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education and a Master of Science in Health Education in 2010. Transitioning to military service, he enlisted in the Navy in 2012 and, following Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois, received accelerated advancement to Petty Officer Third Class after completing Aviation Electronics Technician "A" School. He subsequently advanced to Petty Officer Second Class before being commissioned as an Aerospace Maintenance Duty Officer in October 2017 through Officer Candidate School (OCS).
LCDR Passalacqua’s operational enlisted assignments include Fleet Readiness Center Southwest, North Island (2013–2015), where he served as a 660 Collateral Duty Inspector (CDI) and was selected as "Junior Sailor of the Year." Upon transfer, he reported to Fleet Readiness Center Southwest Detachment, Point Mugu, California (2015–2017), where he served as a 65B CDI and Production Supervisor. During this tour, he completed multiple workups with USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) and USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) and participated in the "Three Presidents Crew" historic 3-carrier hull swap with USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73), which ultimately led to his selection for OCS.
His first tour as a commissioned officer was with Strike Fighter Squadron 154 (VFA-154) in Lemoore, California (2017–2021), where he served as the Material Control Officer, Quality Assurance Officer (QAO), and Assistant Maintenance Officer (AMO). During this assignment, he completed a 2020 WESTPAC deployment aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71). Executing back-to-back sea duty tours, he next transferred to Strike Fighter Squadron 97 (VFA-97) in Lemoore (2021–2023). He served as the QAO and AMO, and as the Maintenance and Material Control Officer (MMCO), he led a successful squadron transition from the F/A-18E Super Hornet to the F-35C Lightning II, culminating in their Safe-for-Flight certification to deploy with the USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70).
Following VFA-97, his shore assignment was with Fleet Readiness Center West Detachment, Point Mugu (2023–2025), serving as the Aircraft and Support Equipment Division Officer, Legal Officer, and MMCO. In August 2025, he reported as the Navy Officer in Charge for Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) Kaneohe Bay and Chief Staff Officer of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 24. AIMD Kaneohe Bay, a sub-command of Commander, Fleet Air Western Pacific (CFWP), is assigned to MALS-24 for the cooperative, integrated intermediate maintenance of all Navy and Marine Corps aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Kaneohe Bay.
LCDR Passalacqua’s personal decorations include two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, as well as numerous unit and campaign awards.