TW6 R.C. Leadership

Commander

Cmdr. Gow was born and raised in Riverview, Florida. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in systems engineering in 2004. Following his commissioning, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School where he earned a Master of Science in applied science in 2005.

Gow completed primary flight training with the "Red Knights" of Training Squadron (VT) 3 in Milton, Florida, and advanced strike-fighter training with the "Tigers" of VT-9 in Meridian, Mississippi. After receiving his Wings of Gold in 2007, Gow remained with VT-9 as a Selectively Retained Graduate Instructor for one year.

Gow reported to Lemoore, California, to the FA-18 Fleet Replacement Squadron, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122. He then joined the "Tophatters" of VFA-14, flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet where, as part of Carrier Air Wings (CVW) 11 and 9, he completed two combat deployments over Iraq and Afghanistan, flying over 40 combat missions in support of Operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom.

Gow returned to VFA-122 to serve as an instructor pilot. At VFA-122, Gow trained over 600 FA-18 replacement aircrew, and served as the FA-18E/F Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) model manager as well as the T-34C Program Manager.

In 2015, Gow transitioned to the Navy Reserves and joined the "Sabrehawks" of VT-86 Squadron Augment Unit (SAU) to instruct in the T-45C Goshawk. In addition to training future U.S., German, Singaporean, and Saudi flight officers, he served as the NATOPS officer, safety officer, and administration officer. In 2018, Gow was selected as the Training Air Wing (TW) Six Reserve flight instructor of the year. Gow served as the commanding officer of the VT-86 SAU from November 2019 – December 2021.

Following his command tour, Gow joined the U.S. Fleet Forces Maritime Air Operations Unit, Tyndall Detachment, as the operations officer, where he supported the Tyndall Air Operations Center in hurricane relief efforts.

Gow has accumulated over 2,800 hours in various Navy aircraft and has over 330 carrier arrested landings. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (1 individual award, 2 strike/flight awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4 awards), and various personal and unit awards.