Major General Mowery was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in 1993. After graduating with honors from The Basic School, he completed Naval Flight Training and was designated an AH-1W Super Cobra pilot in 1996.
MajGen Mowery’s prior General Officer assignments include tours as the Deputy Director of Requirements and Capability Development on the Joint Staff, J8 and the Assistant Deputy Commandant for Aviation, HQMC Department of Aviation.
MajGen Mowery commanded Marine Aircraft Group (MAG)-39 at Camp Pendleton, CA from May 2017 to May 2019. From Nov 2010 to Jun 2012, he commanded Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA)-267, where he led his squadron through a successful 7-month combat deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Under his leadership, HMLA-267 was recognized as the “Marine Corps Light Attack Squadron of the Year” for 2011.
MajGen Mowery’s other assignments in the operating forces include tours with the following squadrons: HMLA-367 (1997-2001); Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-262 (REIN) / 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (July-Dec 2000); and HMLA-367 (2006-2009) where he completed two (7-month) combat deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
MajGen Mowery's additional assignments include: a tour with Marine Helicopter Squadron-One where he served as a White House Command Pilot in the VH-3, VH-60, and CH-46 helicopters (2001-2006); Aviation Plans, Programs and Budgetary Matters Branch with HQMC, Dept. of Aviation (2009-2010) and again as the Branch Head (2019-2021); a Joint assignment as both an Assistant Director of Policy within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Officer and Enlisted Personnel Management) and as the Military Assistant to the Undersecretary of Defense, Personnel and Readiness (2013-2015); assignment as the Executive Officer of The Basic School (2015-2016); and assignment with the Navy as the Deputy Commander of the Naval Safety Center (2016-2017).
MajGen Mowery is native of Troup, Texas. He is a graduate of The Basic School, Amphibious Warfare School, Marine Corps Command & Staff College, and the National War College. He holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University (Corps of Cadets 1988-1992) and a MS in National Security Strategy from the National War College. Over his 32-year career in the Marine Corps, MajGen Mowery has accumulated more than 4,200 flight hours (over 1,000 of which were flown in combat) in over 14 different types of naval aircraft.