Page 27 - F-35B and USMC

The Integration of the F-35B into USMC Operations

In effect, this is the flying infrastructure for the future MAGTF.

We will continue to refine the tactics, techniques and procedures (TPPs) as the force matures as well.”
Col. Rowell Biography

Colonel Rowell received his commission upon graduation with Honors from the United States Naval Academy in
1992. Upon completion of the Basic School, he was assigned to flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola,
Florida.

After flight training in the T-34, T-2, and TA-4J he was designated a Naval Aviator in August 1995 and
reported to VMFAT-101 in MCAS El Toro, California for conversion training in the F/A-18 Hornet.

Captain Rowell reported to MAG-11 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, in 1996 for duty with
VMFA(AW)-225, where he served as the Schedules Officer, Airframes Officer, Assistant Maintenance Officer
and Pilot Training Officer. He made two deployments to the Western Pacific in 1997 and 1999 in support of the
Unit Deployment Program. While serving with the “Vikings”, he graduated from the Weapons and Tactics
Instructor course at MAWTS-1, and the TOPGUN course at the Navy Fighter Weapons School.

FIGURE 8 COL. ROWELL, CO OF VMX-1. CREDIT: USMC

Captain Rowell then transferred to MCAS Yuma, Arizona in 2000 for duty as an instructor pilot at Marine
Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One. During this tour he served as the Air-to-Air Employment SME,
GPS Guided Weapons SME, Joint Strike Fighter SME and single-seat Forward Air Controller (Airborne)
project officer. In 2002, Captain Rowell was promoted to Major. In 2003, Major Rowell deployed from
MAWTS-1 to Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait to augment VMFA(AW)-533 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. During
his time in Yuma, Major Rowell was also NATOPS qualified in the F-5E/F and augmented the Snipers of
VMFT-401.

In 2004, Major Rowell reported to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia where he earned a Master’s degree
in Military Studies and was a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College.
In 2005, Major Rowell reported to MAG-31 at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina where he served as the MAG
FA-18 tactics training officer for a year prior to reporting to VMFA-122 as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer.
The “Crusaders” deployed to the Western Pacific in 2006 in support of the Unit Deployment Program. Upon
return, Major Rowell reported back to MAG-31 to serve as the Group Operations Officer.
After serving at MAG-31 Headquarters for a year, Lieutenant Colonel Rowell reported back to VMFA-122,
the “Werewolves” in 2008 as the Executive Officer. In September 2008, he deployed to Al Asad Air Base,

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