Born and raised in Maine, Rick Knowlton graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in 1991. He received a Master’s in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle in 2006 and is married to the former Wendy Hites of North Dakota. Rick was the Distinguished Honor Graduate of his class at the US Army Flight School in 1995 while his class flew the Army’s first TH-67 Creek helicopters. He also flew the UH-1 Huey and became UH-60 Black Hawk tracked.

His assignments include Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in C Company, 2d Battalion 82d Aviation Regiment, 82d Airborne Division. Here he served as a pilot-in-command and flight lead. Next followed the 236th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) in Landstuhl, Germany. He served as a Supply Officer and then qualified as an instructor pilot, instrument examiner and later selected as the Company Standardization Officer while deployed in 11 European and African countries during this assignment.

Rick Knowlton arrived in Fort Rucker, Alabama, in 2004. His expertise and experience led to his selection as the UH-60 Flight School XXI Standardization Officer for E Company, 1-212th Aviation Regiment. In this capacity, he also became the lead test pilot for the Flight School XXI UH-60 Simulations Program.

At Fort Campbell, Kentucky, he served three combat tours. One as the A/6-101 Company Standardization Pilot (SP) another as the C/6-101 Company SP, returning as the 6-101 BN SP. His last tour was as the 101 CAB SP after being selected for CW5. Rick’s next assignment was with United States Army Africa G3 Air located in Vicenza, Italy where he was responsible for managing aviation operations being conducted by USARAF on the African continent.

CW5 Knowlton was selected to be the Command Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO) of the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, Fort Hood Texas. He held this position from May, 2015 until April 2017. He then was assigned to Fort Knox and HRC as the Chief of Aviation Warrant Officer Assignments, responsible for managing the careers of over 5500 aviation warrant officers. In January 2020 Rick moved to Arlington, VA, joining the Army Talent Management Task Force, currently serving as the Senior Warrant Officer Advisor.

CW5 Knowlton is the recipient of the 2010 American Legion Aviator Valor award, Army Aviation Association’s 2007 Trainer of the Year award and Order of Saint Michael (Silver). His awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal (with V Device and numeral device “4”, Army Commendation Medal (with V Device and three Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon(with one Bronze Service Star), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Master Army Aviator Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.