Col. Daniel Shaun Bowes is commander of the 169th Fighter Wing, South Carolina Air National Guard, McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina. He is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping the largest operational F-16 wing in the Air National Guard while maintaining a 2,400-acre federal military installation and providing 24/7 Air Sovereignty for the Southeast United States. He is responsible for the care, morale, and welfare of 1,500 Airmen and civilian personnel, including almost 100 active-duty Airmen assigned in an Active Association construct. McEntire JNGB is the host to five South Carolina Army National Guard tenant units and more than 2,500 Soldiers, including South Carolina’s largest Army National Guard flying operation.
Col. Bowes received his commission as a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 2000. Prior to joining the Air National Guard, he served 12 years on Active Duty as a weapons officer and instructor pilot at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School. He is a command pilot and highly experienced F-16 instructor pilot, flight examiner, and mission commander with more than 3,600 flying hours in the F-16.
Col. Bowes has flown more than 500 hours in combat and has flown combat missions in Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and INHERENT RESOLVE. He previously served in various staff and supervisory capacities at the squadron and wing levels within the 169th Fighter Wing. Prior to his current position, Col. Bowes served as commander of the 169th Operations Group, McEntire JNGB, South Carolina.
EDUCATION
2000 Bachelor of Arts, Mathematics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C.
2000 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2007 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2010 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2011 Master of Business Administration, Strategic Leadership, Touro University International
2019 Air War College, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2000 – March 2001, Training Officer, 41st Airlift Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C.
2. March 2001 – May 2002, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Sheppard AFB, Texas
3. May 2002 – September 2002, Student, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Moody AFB, Ga.
4. September 2002 – July 2003, F-16C Student, 63rd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
5. July 2003 – August 2006, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Assistant Weapons Officer, 389th Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home, Idaho
6. September 2006 – February 2010, Chief of Weapons, Flight Commander, 55th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C.
7. February 2010 – June 2011, F-16 WIC Instructor, Chief of Wing Weapons, 98th Range Wing, Nellis AFB, Nev.
8. June 2011 – August 2012, F-16 WIC Instructor, Flight Commander, 16th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
9. August 2012 – June 2015, Chief of Wing Weapons, 157th Fighter Squadron, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
10. June 2015 – April 2017, Chief of Standards and Evaluations, 169th Operations Group, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
11. April 2017 – June 2020, Chief of Advanced Programs, Program Manager, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
12. June 2020 – June 2022, Commander, 157th Fighter Squadron, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
13. June 2022 – April 2023, Director of Staff, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
14. April 2023 – August 2024, Commander, 169th Operations Group, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
15. August 2024 – Present, Commander, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: more than 3,600
Aircraft flown: F-16, T-38, T-37
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award
Combat Readiness Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with service star
Iraq Campaign Medal with service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with three service stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border and three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Longevity Service with five oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hourglass and four M devices
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air and Space Training Ribbon
SC Active State Service Ribbon
SC Palmetto Service Ribbon
SC Mobilization Ribbon with two devices
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 19, 2000
First Lieutenant June 19, 2002
Captain June 19, 2004
Major June 1, 2010
Lieutenant Colonel Nov. 19, 2014
Colonel March 1, 2023
(Current as of August 2024)