TW5 Leadership

Chief Staff Officer (CSO)

A native of Cheektowaga, New York, Commander Owens enlisted in August 1995 as a Hospital Corpsman. He served with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group in Camp Lejeune, NC, where he was selected to attend the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2003, earning a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography.

CDR Owens was designated an Unrestricted Naval Aviator in December of 2005. He completed MH-60S fleet replacement pilot training at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron THREE (HSC-3) in San Diego, CA and was assigned to the "Wildcards" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO THREE (HSC-23). As a plank owner, he deployed to the Arabian Gulf aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He deployed a second time to Camp Buehring, Kuwait with the 2515th Naval Air Ambulance Detachment. During this tour, he held the billets of Legal Officer, Schedules Officer, and Quality Assurance Officer.

In March 2010, CDR Owens completed the Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor course at Naval Aviation Warfighter Development Center (NAWDC) in Fallon, NV and subsequently reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Pacific (HSCWSP) as an instructor pilot. He also served as the Administrative Officer, Assistant Tactics Officer, and the Expeditionary Helicopter Advanced Readiness Program (HARP) Officer.

CDR Owens reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWELVE (HSC-12) in December 2012, serving as the Training Officer. After aiding HSC-12 with its homeport shift from NAS North Island, CA to NAF Atsugi, Japan, he completed two 7th Fleet deployments with CTF-70 aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73), during which time HSC-12 was awarded the Battle "E" in 2015.

In March 2015, CDR Owens reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron EIGHT (HSC 8) for his Department Head tour, serving as the Administrative Officer and Operations Officer. In August 2017, he reported to Alaskan Command (ALCOM) as the Maritime Operations Officer and subsequently filled the role of Current Operations Chief (J33).

He selected for command and reported to HSCWSP as the Executive Officer in April 2020. CDR Owens assumed command of HSCWSP in July 2021. After a successful command tour, CDR Owens reported to USS Nimitz (CVN 68) as the Operations Officer, where he completed a 7th Fleet Western Pacific deployment. CDR Owens currently serves as the Chief Staff Officer of Training Air Wing FIVE.

CDR Owens has accumulated over 3200 flight hours in multiple aircraft. He also holds a Master of Science in Global Leadership from the University of San Diego.