Lt Gen Scott Howell, USAF (ret.)

Lt Gen Scott A. Howell is the former Commander of the Joint Special Operations Command. He retired from the United States Air Force in Aug. 2021 after a 34-year distinguished military career, primarily in special operations, with extensive deployment experience in Iraq, Kuwait, Bosnia, Haiti, Kosovo, Mozambique, Djibouti, and Afghanistan.

Prior to commanding JSOC, Lt Gen Howell served as the vice commander of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Washington Office where he planned, coordinated, and executed USSOCOM initiatives with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, military services, and other government agencies. Lt. Gen. Howell also served as Commander, Joint Special Operations Joint Task Force – Afghanistan/NATO Special Operations Component Command – Afghanistan from 2016 to 2017.

Lt Gen Howell serves as a Capstone senior fellow at the National Defense University, and the recipient of numerous accolades, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star Medal.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in management from the United States Air Force Academy and a master’s degree in national security studies from the National War College.