Chief Warrant Officer Five (Ret) Ronald E. Howard spent a career serving and protecting the great country he loved so deeply. His military service spanned 31 years (1970–2001) in the U.S. Army, and he retired in the rank of CW5. He proudly served his country, predominantly in Special Operations Aviation units. He served in various positions/units ranging from an Airborne Infantryman in Vietnam, U.S. Army Air Cavalry, U.S. Army Special Operations; Aviation Advisor to the American Ambassador in Beirut, Lebanon; and Special Projects Officer/Chief Pilot for the Commander, U.S. Army Europe.

As a member of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), CW5 Howard served as a Company Platoon Leader, Operations Officer, and Flight Lead. He also served on the Regiment Staff, where he was responsible for creating and supervising significant portions of the Green Platoon Flight Training program, and as the Green Liaison Officer (Forward)/Air Operations.

As a senior Army officer, CW5 Howard served on the Staff of the Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe. He was responsible for all air operations while also serving as the Commanding General’s UH-60 Black Hawk Pilot. During the initial implementation phases of the Dayton Peace Accords, he established and managed the Commanding General’s Implementation Force aviation support in the Balkan Theater.

From August 1998 until his retirement date of 28 February 2001, CW5 Howard supported the National Assessment Group as a Project Manager. He was responsible for managing all Special Projects relating to Special Operations Forces and briefed these projects directly to the Deputy Secretary of Defense.