Captain Vincent C. Bowhers, United States Navy

Chief of Staff, Commander, Task Force - Individual Augmentee

Captain Bowhers was raised in Weston, Massachusetts and enlisted in the Navy after completing high school. He was accepted into the Naval Academy Preparatory School program and was commissioned an Ensign upon graduating from United States Naval Academy 1985. Following a short tour as a research assistant in the Naval Academy Oceanography Department, he completed flight training with VT-6 at NAS Whiting Field, Florida, VT-4 at NAS  Pensacola, Florida and VT-26 at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, where he has designated a Naval Aviator in 1987. Next he completed E-2C “Hawkeye” training at VAW-120 and immediately deployed to the Indian Ocean with the STEEL JAWS of VAW-122 aboard the USS FORESTAL. CAPT Bowhers completed three deployments to the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Gulf with the STEEL JAWS prior to reassignment as an instructor pilot and training landing signal officer (LSO) at VAW-120. His next assignment was as CVW-7’s LSO aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON for her maiden Mediterranean/Arabian Gulf Deployment. After completing a “CAG Paddles” tour, he attended the Naval War College, earning a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies and was designated the president’s honor graduate. He returned to the fleet in 1996, serving as Assistant Operations Officer and Operations and Maintenance Department Head for the SCREWTOPS of VAW-123 while embarked on USS GEORGE WASHINGTON for a Mediterranean/Arabian Gulf deployment. During his next tour CAPT Bowhers completed JPME II at Armed Forces Staff College and served as an action officer in the Joint Staff Operations Directorate (J-38, Counter Narcotics Divisions) from 1998 to 2000.  He reported to the BEAR ACES of VAW-124 for his XO and CO tour from 2000 to 2003 and deployed to the Mediterranean/Arabian Gulf on USS ENTERPRISE in support of OEF and on USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT in support OIF. Prior to reporting to the Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC) he served as Air Boss on USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT and deployed again in support of OIF.  While assigned to the JFSC, Captain Bowhers has served as military faculty with the Joint and Combined Warfighting School (JCWS) and the Joint Advanced Warfighting School, Director of JCWS, and as Chief of Operations and Chief of Staff for the college. 

Decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Medals, and six Navy Commendation Medals.

CAPT Bowhers has two children, John and Meredith.