Commanding Officer
LtCol Joshua J. Onuska

Lieutenant Colonel Onuska was born and raised 35 miles north of Pittsburgh in Rochester, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Grove City College, where he earned Bachelors of Science degrees in both Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management.  He was commissioned via the Officer Candidate Course in 2004 and was subsequently designated an Aircraft Maintenance Officer (MOS 6002). In June 2005, Lieutenant Colonel Onuska was assigned to VMFA(AW)-242, an F/A-18D squadron aboard MCAS Miramar in San Diego, California. During this tour, he served as the Maintenance/Material Control Officer and deployed to Al Asad Airbase, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). In 2008, the squadron was permanently relocated to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan and Lieutenant Colonel Onuska accepted orders to move with the unit. During this tour in Japan, he detached for training to Alaska and Australia before being reassigned to MALS-12 to serve as the Operations Officer, Quality Assurance Officer, and AIRSpeed Officer.

In June 2010, Lieutenant Colonel Onuska was selected for higher education at the Naval Postgraduate School; receiving a Masters in Operations Research and Systems Analysis upon completion of the 24 month program. He was subsequently assigned to the Marine Corps Logistics Command in Albany, Georgia where he served two years as an analyst and one year as the Command General’s aide-de-camp. 

In June 2015, Lieutenant Colonel Onuska was reassigned to MCAS Yuma, Arizona, serving as the MALS-13 Operations Officer and Executive Officer. During this tour, MALS-13 supported various aircraft training efforts such as ITX, Marine Expeditionary Unit deployments, and F-35 squadron transitions. 

In June 2017, Lieutenant Colonel Onuska was selected as the Aviation Ground Majors Monitor and received orders to Manpower and Reserve Affairs aboard MCB Quantico, Virginia, making assignments for 6XXX, 72XX, and 73XX occupational fields. In 2018, he was elevated to the Deputy Aviation Lieutenant Colonel Monitor billet for the remainder of his time with Manpower Management Officer Assignments. Once promoted, he became the Headquarters Marine Corps Semper Fit and Recreation Branch Chief before departing for Okinawa, Japan.

In July 2021, Lieutenant Colonel Onuska served as the Commanding Officer for Personnel Support Detachment at Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

In May 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Onuska received orders to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36, to serve as the Squadron Commanding Officer.

Lieutenant Colonel Onuska’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 2 gold stars, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ 1 gold stars.

Lieutenant Colonel Onuska is married to Nikki and has six children: Emma (9), Makayla (7), Jack (5), Isabella (4), Ryan (2), and Luke (0).

 

 

 

 

 

1st Marine Aircraft Wing