Executive Officer
Cmdr. Anthony J. Polo

Cmdr. Anthony J. Polo graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology and was commissioned as an Ensign in December 2003. Following commissioning, Polo reported to Pensacola, Florida for aviation training. He was designated a naval aviator in February 2005.
 
Polo's first fleet assignment was in San Diego, California from December 2006-2009 with Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 47. He flew the SH-60B during the 2008 Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility (AOR) in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and USS Shoup (DDG-86). After deployment he transitioned the squadron to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77 to fly the MH-60R. While assigned to HSM-77, he served as a squadron schedule writer, detachment maintenance officer, and Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) officer.
 
Following his tour with HSM-77, Polo reported to the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) HSM-41 as an instructor pilot from 2009-2012 in San Diego. While assigned to HSM-41 he was selected to attend the Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor (SWTI) course in Fallon, Nevada. Following graduation from SWTI (Class 02-11) he was assigned as the FRS Squadron WTI where he managed the tactics phase of the FRS syllabus. His next assignment in 2012 was with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, as the helicopter operations officer in San Diego. Polo deployed onboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR).
 
In 2015, Polo reported to HSM-73 attached to CVW-17. He deployed as the combat element officer-in-charge onboard USS Dewey (DDG 105) in support of OIR and 7th Fleet AOR. He later led HSM-73 as the operations officer through the Optimized Fleet Readiness Plan with the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) in preparation for their 2017 5th and 7th Fleet deployment.
 
Polo was most recently assigned to the U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany as a political-military desk officer for numerous Western European Allied countries in the J5/8 - Policy, Strategy, Partnering and Capabilities Directorate.
 
Polo has accumulated over 2,500 total flight hours. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Commendation Medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), and numerous other campaign and unit awards. He holds a master’s degree in Administrative Leadership from The University of Oklahoma and his Joint Professional Military Education from the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College.