Vice Adm. Dwyer is a native of Alameda, California, and a graduate of the California Maritime Academy and U.S. Naval War College, where he holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation, a Master’s in Foreign Affairs and Strategic Studies, and a Master’s in Computer Information Science. Dwyer is also a graduate of the NATO Defence College General Flag Officer and Ambassador course.
Vice Adm. Dwyer, a career F/A-18 naval aviator and graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), has completed eight carrier deployments to the Western Pacific, North Atlantic, Mediterranean, and North Arabian Sea, supporting Operations Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and New Dawn flying over 75 combat missions.
He has previously commanded Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27; Provincial Reconstruction Team Asadabad, Kunar Province, Afghanistan; Fleet Replacement Squadron (VFA) 106, Carrier Air Wing 8, and Carrier Air Wing 17; as a flag officer Dwyer commanded the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (CSG 9), and was the 36th Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA).
His major staff assignments include director of Regional Outreach (CJ9) NATO Headquarters, Commander, International Security Assistance Force Kabul, Afghanistan, and director of Aviation Officer Distribution (Pers-43) Naval Personnel Command Millington, Tennessee.
As a flag officer Dwyer served as the chief of staff (CoS) and assistant chief of staff for Strategy, Resources and Plans (N5) for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa and for Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet in Naples, Italy, and most recently the Director of Plans and Policy (J5) for U.S. Cyber Command in Fort Meade, Maryland.
Vice Adm. Dwyer assumed duties as Commander, Joint Force Command Norfolk, Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, and Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Centre of Excellence on August 20, 2021.
Dwyer was the 1997 Commander Strike Fighter Wing Pacific Adm. Wesley McDonald Junior Officer of the Year and his personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal Strike/Flight, Combat Action Ribbon, Battle E (three awards) and has accumulated over 3,800 F-18 flight hours, and over 1,100 carrier arrested landings on 12 different aircraft carriers.