The present invention is directed to a retractable handle which has an extended rotatable position and is movable to a retracted, stowed condition. The handle advantageously can be moved to an extended position in which a detent provides sufficient force so that the handle can be used in operation for coupling or de-coupling the connector from a mating connector. Advantageously, when in the stowed retracted position, the handle is unobtrusive and should not interfere with moving objects that are near by. The handle includes a detent mechanism which provides sufficient force to hold the handle in either the extended rotatable position or the stowed, retracted position.