TW6 R.C. Leadership

Commander

Captain Gow was born and raised in Riverview, Florida. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering in 2004, and following his commissioning, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School where he earned a Master of Science degree in Applied Science in 2005.

CAPT Gow completed primary flight training with the Red Knights of 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, CAPT Gow remained with VT-9 as a Selectively Retained Graduate Instructor for one year.

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

CAPT Gow returned to VFA-122 to serve as an instructor pilot. At VFA-122, CAPT Gow trained over 600 FA-18 replacement aircrew, and served as the FA-18E/F NATOPS Model Manager as well as the T-34C Program Manager.

In 2015 CAPT Gow transitioned to the Navy Reserves and joined the VT-86 Squadron Augment Unit (SAU) to instruct in the T-45C Goshawk. In addition to training future US, German, Singaporean, and Saudi flight officers, he served as the NATOPS Officer, Safety Officer, and Administration Officer. In 2018 CAPT Gow was selected as the Training Air Wing SIX Reserve Flight Instructor of the Year. CAPT Gow served as the Commanding Officer of the VT-86 SAU from November 2019 – December 2021.

Following his command tour, CAPT Gow joined the US Fleet Forces Maritime Air Operations Unit, Tyndall Detachment, as the Operations Officer, where he supported the Tyndall Air Operations Center in hurricane relief efforts.

In December 2022, CAPT Gow began his tour as the CNATRA Training Air Wing SIX Reserve Component Commander, overseeing three squadron augment units and all reservists in the Wing.

CAPT Gow has accumulated over 3,000 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.