Jessica Owens is a trailblazing aviator and leader whose 24-year career is defined by historic firsts and unwavering dedication to the United States. After commissioning in 1999 and earning her wings as a Naval Aviator in 2002, Col. Owens became the fifth woman in United States Marine Corps history to fly the AH-1W Super Cobra and subsequently the first to reach the rank of Colonel.

Her distinguished combat service includes a 2004 deployment to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom and a 2005-2006 tour in Iraq. Between 2008 and 2014, she served as a Reserve Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor with HMLAT-303, while simultaneously contributing to advanced Unmanned Aircraft Systems programs at Northrop Grumman. She also served as an adjunct professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

In 2015, Col. Owens transitioned to the Active Reserve as the Director of Safety and Standardization for the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing before becoming Assistant Chief of Staff in 2016. Her late-career leadership included serving as the Deputy Reserve Affairs Policy Branch Head and, in 2022, assuming duties as the Chief of Readiness for the Marine and Family Programs Division.

She is a recipient of the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal with bronze numeral nine, the Navy Commendation Medal (gold star in lieu of second award) and the Navy Achievement Medal. Her legacy was honored when her uniform was featured in the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., as part of the “Fly Marines! The Centennial of Marine Corps Aviation: 1912-2012” exhibit.

Col. Owens retired in 2023, leaving an indelible mark on the history of Marine Corps Aviation.