Lieutenant Colonel Anthony LaVista graduated from the University of California, San Diego with Bachelor of Science degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Physics with Specialization in Astrophysics. He attended Officer Candidate School and graduated as the “E” Company Honor Graduate, and then commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Upon completion of The Basic School, he reported to Flight School in Pensacola, Florida and was designated a Naval Aviator.
First Lieutenant LaVista reported to Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG-39) for initial training in the AH-1W at Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303 (HMLAT-303). He then reported to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 (HMLA-367) and deployed with HMLA-367 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF).
Captain LaVista was hand-selected as one of the first pilots to fly the AH-1Z helicopter, completing conversion training and designated a Night Systems Instructor (NSI) in the AH-1Z. Captain LaVista then deployed with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 Reinforced (HMM-364 [REIN]) as part of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU) to the U.S. Navy Fifth and Seventh Fleet Area of Operations. Following this deployment, Captain LaVista reported to HMLAT-303 to serve as an AH-1Z Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor.
Major LaVista then transferred to the Defense Language Institute, Presidio of Monterey to attend the Japanese language course and graduated with Honors. During this period, he was also presented with an Associates of Arts Degree in Japanese Studies. He then moved to Tokyo, Japan and served at the Japanese Ministry of Defense as a MARFORPAC Liaison Officer to the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). He then attended and graduated from the JGSDF Command and Staff College (CSC) and was presented with a Master of Arts in International Relations from New England College. Following his tour in Tokyo, Japan he was published in the Marine Corps Gazette and designated a Northeast Asia/Indo-Pacom Foreign Area Officer (FAO).
Major LaVista then served as a department head at Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 (HMLA-369), where he fulfilled the key billets of Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Executive Officer. During this period, he deployed to Okinawa, Japan as part of the III MEF Unit Deployment Program (UDP). Following this deployment, Major LaVista reported to MAG-39 Headquarters and served as the Commanding Officer of Headquarters Squadron 39 (HQSQDN-39).
Lieutenant Colonel LaVista then reported to U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Japan (MARFORJ) Headquarters at Yokota Air Base, where he served as the MARFORJ Air Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, US Forces Japan Training and Exercises (J37) Division Chief, and then assumed the duties of the MARFORJ AC/S G-3.
He then reported to Marine Corps Installations West to serve as the Strategic Basing Officer in the Facilities Directorate, and then transferred to MCAS Camp Pendleton to assume the duties as the H&HS, MCAS Camp Pendleton Commanding Officer, and recently transitioned to the UC-12 airframe.
Lieutenant Colonel LaVista has flown over 2,800 flight hours, including 596 hours in the AH-1W and 1,865 hours in the AH-1Z. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, Strike/Flight Air Medal with bronze numeral “4”, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.