Captain Anthony T. Calandra
United States Navy
CAPT Anthony T. Calandra, was born and raised in Cresson, PA. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy, majoring in General Engineering and was commissioned in May 25, 1988. Upon graduation, he completed flight training with VT-27, VT-26 and VT-25 in South TX. In 1990, he reported to VA-128 at NAS Whidbey Island, WA for training in the A-6E Intruder. While in the A-6 community, he deployed twice to the Arabian Gulf, as a member of VA-155 and VA-196. During this time, he earned two Strike/Flight Air Medals and a Navy Commendation Medal with Combat ‘V’ for operations over Iraq and Somalia. Upon retirement of the A-6E Intruder, he was transferred to VAQ-129 for transition to the EA-6B Prowler. His next set of orders took him to VAQ-132 and his first East Coast deployment. In 1997, CAPT Calandra was selected to be a member of the first class of Prowler Tactics Instructors and, upon graduation, transferred to the Electronic Attack Weapons School to spearhead the development of the Prowler Weapons and Tactics Program. His efforts earned him the Association of Old Crows 1999 Annual Award for Electronic Warfare Training. While serving as an instructor, he volunteered to augment VAQ-138 during Operation Allied Force and earned three additional air medals. In the winter of 2000, CAPT Calandra received orders to VAQ-131 as operations officer and completed a Masters of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University. He transferred to the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. in the spring of 2002 and graduated with Highest Distinction a year later. Follow-on orders took him to Naples, Italy where he served on the Staff of Naval Striking and Supporting Forces, NATO. CAPT Calandra was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service medal for his work with allied integration in air and amphibious planning. In May of 2005 CAPT Calandra reported as the executive officer of Electronic Attack Squadron 139 (VAQ-139), the first Improved Capability III (ICAP III) EA-6B Prowler squadron. He commanded VAQ-139 from September 2006 to November 2007. During his Command tour, he deployed to the Arabian Gulf and Al Asad Air Base, Iraq and completed a short notice surge deployment to the Pacific Rim. While leading the Cougars of VAQ-139, CAPT Calandra was selected as an “Aviation Week and Space Technology” Laureate nominee for his work in the development and successful introduction of the ICAP III Prowler and also earned the Meritorious Service Medal. After his command tour, CAPT Calandra was selected to be the Operations Officer on board USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, CVN-73. Shortly after reporting, CAPT Calandra carried out the Home Port change for GEORGE WASHINGTON, which brought the ship and crew to its present station as the first ever, forward deployed nuclear powered aircraft carrier. As the “Ops Boss” on GW, CAPT Calandra was responsible to the Commanding Officer and Commander, Carrier Task Force SEVEN ZERO (CTF-70) for the Carrier’s “combat readiness.” He and his team developed and carried out the long and short term operational plan for the carrier, ensuring the ship’s systems were always fully functional and her crew of nearly 3,000 were always properly trained for combat operations. His efforts onboard GW earned him his second Meritorious Service Medal. In August, 2010, CAPT Calandra reported to the OPNAV Staff in Washington D.C. to fulfill a Federal Executive Fellowship position at the Atlantic Council of the United States.