About the Speaker

Lieutenant Colonel Pasko received his commission in 2005 upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He began his career as a U.S. Navy pilot flying the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet at Naval Air Station Oceana, VA. He is a 2012 graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and completed assignments at Training Squadron Seven, Strike Fighter Squadron One Three Six, Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic, and Strike Fighter Squadron One Five. In 2017, he transitioned to the Florida Air National Guard in Jacksonville, FL, and began flying the F-15C Eagle. While assigned to the 125th Fighter Wing, he has served as the 159th Fighter Squadron Weapons Officer and 125th Fighter Wing Executive Staff Officer, among other billets. In 2024, he graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval War College (College of Naval Warfare) in Newport, RI. He recently completed the F-35A Lightning II transition course and assumed command of the 159th Fighter Squadron. He is a command pilot with over 3,000 hours in the T-34C, T45C, F-16B, F-5N, F/A-18 A-F, F-15C/D, and F-35A. While serving in the Navy, he completed two combat deployments embarked in USS Enterprise supporting Operation NEW DAWN and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. As a Florida Air National Guard pilot, he completed a subsequent combat deployment with the 159th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and has flown numerous missions in support of Operation NOBLE EAGLE in the United States.