8 Wing Commander      

Colonel J.A. Bowser, CD

Colonel Andy Bowser grew up in Ottawa, Ontario and enrolled as a pilot in the Canadian Armed Forces in 2001. After studying Mechanical Engineering at the Royal Military College of Canada, Col Bowser earned his pilot wings in 2007. After receiving his wings, Col Bowser was posted to 436 Squadron from 2007 to 2015 (holding the ranks of Lieutenant to Major) where he flew operational missions on the CC130E/H and CC130J. Upon returning from his second deployment in support of Operation ATHENA, he completed his C-130J training in Little Rock, Arkansas in 2010. In 2012, Col Bowser deployed to Sigonella, Sicily in support of Operation LOBE.

Promoted to Major in 2013, he assumed the duties of Squadron Standards Officer. In addition to his operational flying duties, Col Bowser served as Executive Assistant to the Commander 1 Canadian Air Division (1 CAD) and Senior Staff Officer - Air Mobility for 1 CAD’s Director Fleet Readiness before being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in 2017. He was appointed as Commanding Officer of 436 Squadron between 2018-2020.

In 2021, Col Bowser deployed in support of Operation FOUNDATION and the US Central Command’s 609th Combined Air Operations Centre in Al Udeid as Deputy Director of the Combat Operations Division. Promoted to his current rank in 2021, Col Bowser served as Director Air Plans then Director Aerospace Readiness on the Air Staff in Ottawa prior to being posted to the Canadian Forces College as National Security Programme student in 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering and Masters of Defence Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada, and is a graduate of the Canadian Forces College’s Joint Command and Staff Programme and National Security Programme.