LtCol Howells, originally from Salt Lake City, UT, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from the University of Utah in 2007. Upon graduation, he attended Officer’s Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, and was commissioned on August 09, 2008.
LtCol Howells attended The Basic School, graduating in May 2009. He then reported to VT-2 “Doers” and HT-8 “Eightballers” for primary and advanced helicopter flight training and was designated a Marine Naval Aviator on April 21, 2011.
LtCol Howells completed initial training in the CH-53E at HMHT-302 “Phoenix and reported to his first fleet squadron, HMH-361” Flying Tigers” in January 2012. Later that year, he deployed with HMH-361 “Fat Cat” to Helmand Provence, Afghanistan in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM 12.2 and was designated an aircraft commander in February 2013.
In October 2013, LtCol Howells graduated from EWTGPAC and was designated a Forward Air Controller. He later reported to 2d Battalion 7th Marine Regiment “HAVOC” and later deployed in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE 15.1 as the Battalion Air Officer. In January 2015, LtCol Howells was selected to support Task Force Al Asad as the only forward deployed Marine unit in Iraq providing terminal control in Al Anbar Province, Al Asad, Iraq. During this assignment Task Force Al Asad successfully re-occupied Al Asad Air Base, returning the iconic airfield to an operational status.
Upon return stateside in April 2015, LtCol Howells served as the Current Operations Officer, HMH-361. He graduated from the MAWTS-1 WTI Course 2-16 and served as Weapons and Tactics Instructor for HMH-361. In May 2016, LtCol Howells deployed with HMH-361 “Shere Khan” to Okinawa, Japan UDP 16.2 redeploying November 2016.
In March 2018, LtCol Howells reported to VMX-1 “Storm” Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron CH-53 E/K Detachment, MCAS New River. In spring of 2019, LtCol Howells assumed the role of VMX-1 Aviation Maintenance Officer during initial CH-53K Safe for Flight Operational Certification and supported MAWTS-1 as an augment flight instructor for the CH-53E ASD 2-18 and 2-19 WTI courses.
In June of 2020, LtCol Howells reported to HMH-366 “Hammerheads” as the Operations Officer. April 2021 LtCol Howells attached to VMM-265 “Dragons” and deployed with 31st MEU 21.2 as the MEU Maintenance Officer, redeploying in November 2021.
In March 2022, LtCol Howells reported to Headquarters Marine Corps serving multiple roles as a Marine Corps Operations Center Officer, Global Force Management Officer, and Current Operations Section Head through April 2025 prior to reporting to MAG-29 as the Naval Aviation Enterprise Readiness Officer. LtCol Howells assumed command of HMH-464 “Condors” in November 2025.