Photo By Sgt. Kyle Chan | U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Justin Howe, the airfield operations officer for Marine Corps...... read more read more
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U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Justin Howe approaches the Futenma flightline in a UC-35D Cessna for the final time as a naval aviator, denoting the end of an illustrious 23-year career. The aircraft gradually descends until the tires connect with the pavement, and a kinetic jolt shakes the plane. Howe coolly engages the brakes, which screech as the aircraft slows to a halt. After shutting off the aircraft’s intricate network of systems, Howe and his co-pilot and commanding officer, Col. Henry Delberry, share a brief, emotional exchange and exit the aircraft, while, nearby, Howe’s family members, Marines and Sailors eagerly wait to greet him. He approaches the crowd, and an outburst of cheers follows suit. Suddenly, his two daughters dash forward, racing each other to join their father, who smiles, taking them both into his arms, while his wife Christina stands steadfast at his side. Howe and his family depart the airfield together, one last time, passing between the Marines and Sailors on their way into a bright future.
“The last flight was something special,” recounts Maj. Justin Howe. “My emotions were high. Making that final landing and sharing a special moment with Colonel Dolberry felt like completion and fulfillment.”
From a young age, Howe dreamed of becoming a pilot. His uncle, a naval aviator, took him on his very first flight in 1987.
“That was the initial spark, over 35 years ago. I wanted to do what my uncle showed me,” Howe proclaims.
Following in the footsteps of both his father and uncle, who served in the Navy, same as his brother, who served in the Army, Howe chose a life of service; however, Howe’s autonomous nature drew him down a distinctive path.
“ I wanted to do something different,” he explained, momentarily trailing off before asserting, “The United States Marine Corps.”
But before Howe reached the sky, he faced a multitude of demanding challenges on the ground at the Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course (PLC).
“ I had to take the test twice and was dis-enrolled from the PLC program for medical reasons, '' he explained. “I had to fight to be reinstated. I was always a go-with-the-flow type until the moment when I had to fight with everything I had to see it through to completion. That taught me a lot about not taking no for an answer and finding a way to yes. Having to get through that redefined who I am, and nothing seemed as hard afterwards. That was a teachable moment and an important lesson that I learned from the Marine Corps.”
As Howe transitions out of the Marine Corps, he reflects on the opportunities that the organization provided him. From flying the president, Barack Obama, as a member of Marine Helicopter Squadron One, to instructing the new generation of pilots, Howe’s 23 years of dutiful service are an accomplishment few can boast.
“I have simply had the opportunity to positively impact more people serving in the Marine Corps,” Howe modestly remarks. “I have had an awesome career, and now it’s time to explore something else. It is not goodbye it's see you later.”
Fair winds and following seas, Major Howe.
| Date Taken: | 06.28.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 08.12.2022 00:01 |
| Story ID: | 425528 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 147 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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