Col Johnson is a native of Rockville, MD. He graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a B.A. in Political Science and received his commission via the Platoon Leaders Course in May of 2000. He reported to The Basic School in Quantico, VA, after which, he was selected to attend the Infantry Officers Course (IOC), graduating in 2001. He completed Primary Flight Training at Whiting Field, FL with the “Red Knights” of VT-3 and Advanced Jet Training in Kingsville, TX with the “Red Hawks” of VT-21. He earned his Wings of Gold in 2003, and was assigned to VFA-125 at NAS Lemoore, CA for F/A-18 conversion training.
From 2004 to 2007, Capt Johnson was assigned to the “Checkerboards” of VMFA-312 in Beaufort, SC, where he held various positions in Operations and Maintenance and deployed to Japan under the Unit Deployment Program. He then deployed to Al Asad AB, Iraq in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF), where he served as an air planner for Multi-National Force-West and flew as an augment pilot for VMFA(AW)-121 and VMFA(AW)-242.
Capt Johnson then reported to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) aboard Camp Lejeune for duty as a Forward Air Controller and MEU Assistant Air Officer. In 2008, he deployed to the US Central Command Area of Responsibility aboard the USS IWO JIMA (LHD-7) Expeditionary Strike Group.
Capt Johnson returned to VMFA-312 in 2009 and deployed aboard the USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN-75) in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF). During this time, he was promoted to Major and assumed the duties of Operations Officer.
Following his Department Head tour, Major Johnson reported to MCAS Miramar, CA for duty as an F/A-18 Instructor Pilot with VMFAT-101. During his tenure with the “Sharpshooters,” Major Johnson served as a Standardization Pilot and Instructor, the Instructor Training Officer, and Logistics Officer.
In 2014, Major Johnson transferred to the Selected Marine Corps Reserve, joining VMFA-112 aboard NAS JRB Fort Worth, TX. He held various billets during his time with the “Cowboys,” and served as the Future and Assistant Operations Officer for Marine Aircraft Group 41. Promoted in 2017, LtCol Johnson transferred to 4th Marine Aircraft Wing in New Orleans, LA for duty as the Fixed-Wing Class Desk Manager. In 2019, he joined the staff of Marine Forces Europe as the Fixed-Wing Aviation Plans Officer in Stuttgart, Germany. In 2023, LtCol Johnson returned to 4th MAW and assumed the duties of Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2.
Col Johnson is a Superior Graduate of the U.S. Army War College, a Distinguished Graduate of the USMC Command and Staff College, and a graduate of Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Air Officer Course and Expeditionary Warfare School. He holds a Master of Strategic Studies degree and has amassed over 5,000 flight hours, with more than 2,000 hours in the F/A-18. His personal decorations include the Air Medal (Strike/Flight) numeral 2, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Gold Star), and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (4th award).