Lieutenant Colonel Dana R. Howe was born and raised in San Diego, California. He graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 2007. Upon completion of The Basic School, he reported to Flight School in Pensacola, Florida, and was designated a Naval Aviator in May 2010.
In June 2010, First Lieutenant Howe reported to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303 (HMLAT-303), Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Camp Pendleton, California for initial training in the AH-1W SuperCobra.
First Lieutenant Howe completed AH-1W SuperCobra training and reported to the “Stingers” of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 (HMLA-267) in November 2010. First Lieutenant Howe deployed with HMLA-267 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from May 2011 to November 2011. During this time, he served in the S-5 and was promoted to Captain. Upon return from Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Captain Howe transitioned from the AH-1W to the AH-1Z. From 2012-2014, Captain Howe served as the Squadron Legal Officer and Flightline Officer-in-Charge. In March 2014, Captain Howe attended and graduated from the Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course. Following his graduation from WTI, Captain Howe served as the Squadron Standardization Officer.
In August 2015, Captain Howe reported to Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) in Quantico, Virginia. He graduated from EWS with distinction in May 2016.
In June 2016, Captain Howe reported to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) as an AH-1Z Instructor Pilot. In addition to his duties as an AH-1 Instructor, Captain Howe served as the Rotary-Wing Offensive Air Support specialist within the Aviation Development, Tactics, and Evaluation Department (ADT&E). While serving in ADT&E, Captain Howe oversaw the execution of numerous Tactical Demonstrations (TACDEMOS) and Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTP) development events that helped inform Marine Corps Aviation requirements and codify TTPs for new and emerging weapons systems. Captain Howe also served as the subject matter expert on Aviation Survival Equipment, 20mm, and the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS). While at MAWTS-1, he promoted to Major and graduated from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College distance education program.
In July 2019, Major Howe reported to the College of Naval Command and Staff, U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. He graduated in June 2020, earning a Master of Arts Degree in Defense and Strategic Studies.
In July 2020, Major Howe reported to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 (HMLA-367) aboard MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. While at “Scarface,” Major Howe served as the Director of the Department of Safety & Standardization (DOSS) and as the Operations Officer.
In June 2021, Major Howe served as the Aide-de-Camp to the Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC) aboard Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii. Major Howe was responsible for the Commander’s daily schedule and coordinated official travel on behalf of the MARFORPAC Commander throughout INDO-PACOM region, including trips to Japan, the Republic of Korea, ThaiIn land, Palau, Australia, and numerous trips within the continental United States.
In July 2022, Major Howe reported to Headquarters, Marine Corps Aviation, to serve as the Air-to-Ground Weapons Programs Lead (AWS-72). While at HQMC Aviation, Lieutenant Colonel Howe worked closely with the Fleet Marine Force, U.S. Navy, Naval Air Systems Command, industry partners, and other government agencies to codify requirements and acquire new air-to-ground munitions, in support of both operational and training needs.
In March 2023, Lieutenant Colonel Howe reported to MAG-39 for assignment as the Commanding Officer of HMLA-267.
Lieutenant Colonel Howe is married and has two children. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal Strike-Flight with the numeral “4”, Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, and the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal.