5th ANGLICO Commanding Officer
Lieutenant Colonel Cowley was born in Kansas City, Missouri in July 1973. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1996 and commissioned through the Platoon Leaders Class-Combined.
Upon completion of The Basic School and the Field Artillery Officers Basic Course, Lieutenant Colonel Cowley reported to 1st Battalion, 11th Marines at Camp Pendleton, where he deployed with the 11th MEU (SOC) as Forward Observer with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. Upon returning from deployment, Lieutenant Colonel Cowley served as the Guns Platoon Commander and Executive Officer for Charlie Battery.
From June 2000 to June 2003, Lieutenant Colonel Cowley worked as the Quality Assurance Officer for the 9th Marine Corps District, Western Recruiting Region. After completing resident PME at Ft. Sill in 2003, he reported to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and became the Logistics Officer for 1st Battalion, 10th Marines.
In March of 2004, Lieutenant Colonel Cowley assumed command of Echo Battery and deployed to Iraq with 2d Battalion, 10th Marines, responsible for force protection at Abu Ghraib Prison in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF). Upon returning from deployment, Lieutenant Colonel Cowley worked as the Battalion Logistics Officer, Operations Officer and Headquarters Battery Commander for 2d Battalion, 10th Marines.
In the summer of 2006, Lieutenant Colonel Cowley reported to 2d Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO) and assumed the responsibility of Brigade Platoon Commander. In September 2007, Lieutenant Colonel Cowley deployed with 2d ANGLICO to Fallujah, Iraq in support of the 1st Iraqi Army Division. Upon returning from deployment, Lieutenant Colonel Cowley reported to Ft Leavenworth, Kansas to attend the Command and General Staff College (CGSC).
In 2009, Lieutenant Colonel Cowley reported to 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines to assume the duties as the Battalion Executive Officer. In October 2009, Lieutenant Colonel Cowley deployed to Afghanistan with the Battalion in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF). Upon returning from deployment, Lieutenant Colonel Cowley assumed the duties as Fire Support Coordinator for Regimental Combat Team-8 (RCT-8). Lieutenant Colonel Cowley deployed with RCT-8 in January 2011 in support of OEF. Upon returning from deployment, Lieutenant Colonel Cowley assumed the duties of 2d Marine Division Fire Support Coordinator.
From August 2012 to May 2015 Lieutenant Colonel Cowley served as Joint Fires Planner at United States Central Command aboard MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.
Lieutenant Colonel Cowley’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with “V” Device and three Gold Stars, and the Combat Action Ribbon.