Colonel Michael D. Owens is the Chief of Staff, United Nations Command (UNC) and United States Forces Korea (USFK), U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, South Korea. UNC enforces the Armistice Agreement, facilitates diplomacy, and integrates multinational forces; while USFK, a Sub-unified command of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, deters aggression and, if necessary, defends the Republic of Korea to maintain stability in Northeast Asia in armistice and crisis.
A native of Jeffersonville, OH, Colonel Owens commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer from the Ohio State University in 1997. His education includes a Bachelor of Arts from the Ohio State University, a Master of Operational Art from the U.S. Air Force Staff College and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Colonel Owens has served in leadership positions in a variety of units including Ranger, Airborne, Air Assault, and Armored assignments. Serving as a Lieutenant in 1st Armored Division in Germany, Colonel Owens deployed to Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia and Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo. Following graduation from the Infantry Career Course, Colonel Owens served in the 101st Airborne Division as Battalion Fire Support Officer, Battalion Assistant Operations Officer, and Battery Commander, deploying in early entry operations of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Colonel Owens subsequently served in the 75th Ranger Regiment as Company Commander and Regimental Fire Support Officer, deploying multiple times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following graduation from the Air Force Command and General Staff College, COL Owens served in the 82nd Airborne Division as a Brigade FSO, Battalion Operations Officer, Battalion Executive Officer, and Brigade Operations Officer, deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Colonel Owens served as the Battalion Commander for 1-41 Field Artillery, part of the 3rd Infantry Division, deploying in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve in Eastern Europe. After graduation from the U.S. Army War College, Colonel Owens served as the Division Artillery Brigade Commander in the 82nd Airborne Division, deploying in support of Operation Allies Refuge in Afghanistan, as well as contingency operations in Poland. Most recently Colonel Owens served as the USFK Deputy J5.