FAIRMONT, W.Va. –
West Virginia Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 5 Zachary McDowell is a seasoned aviator with 20 years of service, and is this week’s Soldier Spotlight.
Hailing from Midwest City, Oklahoma and now residing in Fairmont, West Virginia, McDowell serves the WVNG as the Standardization Officer at the Fixed Wing Army Aviation Training Site (FWAATS) located in Bridgeport, West Virginia, where he is responsible for training, evaluating and qualifying Army aviators in the C-12 and C-26 aircraft.
Some of McDowell's previous roles include serving as an Instructor Pilot and Instrument Examiner in the CH-47D/F Chinooks with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and as a Company and Battalion Standardization Officer at the 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion, Aerial Exploitation Battalion (3rd MI AEB) at USAG Humphreys, Korea. He also held the position of Standardization Officer at the Directorate of Evaluations and Standardization (DES) at Fort Novosel, Alabama.
Some of his education and personal interests include holding a BA in East Asian Studies and spending time with his family. McDowell also enjoys participating in watersports and winter sports. His experience transitioning from active duty to the National Guard has allowed him to bring his networking skills and a fresh perspective to the fixed-wing community.
McDowell takes pride in his role.
"FWAATS is crucial for providing fixed-wing training across the nation. Our work here directly impacts the readiness and capabilities of the Army National Guard’s aviation assets."
His dedication to excellence is reflected in his commitment to supporting both his chain of command and the students who pass through the program.
Looking ahead, McDowell plans to transition into a career in the airline industry, with the goal of continuing to provide top-notch support and to making a positive impact in the lives of those around him.
When reflecting on his time in the military, he notes, "This is the best job and work environment I've experienced in my entire Army career. I've had the privilege of working with some of the most professional people within this organization."
McDowell's dedication to his family and the military is evident in his admiration for his wife, who has supported their family through many relocations, and his pride in his children.
His advice to those considering a career in the military is clear.
"The military isn't for everyone, but it's worth exploring. I never intended to retire from the military, but once I started my work, I enjoyed it enough to stay for 20 years."