LtCol Johnson was commissioned a Second Lieutenant upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy in May 1997. After graduation from The Basic School in January 1998, 2ndLt Johnson moved to Pensacola, Florida to complete Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API) and Primary Flight Training. After being selected for jet training, he moved to Meridian, Mississippi to complete Intermediate and Advanced Flight Training in the T-2C Buckeye and T-45C Goshawk. First Lieutenant Johnson was designated a Naval Aviator in October 2000 and assigned to fly the EA-6B Prowler. Capt Johnson completed Fleet Replacement Pilot training at Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) in Whidbey Island, Washington and was assigned to Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 (VMAQ-3) in Cherry Point, North Carolina.
In March 2002, Captain Johnson reported to VMAQ-3 in Cherry Point, North Carolina for his first operational squadron tour. While assigned to the Moondogs, Captain Johnson performed the duties of the Embarkation Officer, Quality Assurance Officer (QAO), Administrative Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, and Electronic Warfare Officer. He deployed in 2003 to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan in support of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP). While in Japan, Captain Johnson participated in Exercise Cope Tiger in Korat, Thailand and a training detachment to Kadena, Okinawa. Captain Johnson completed two combat deployments, the first to Bagram, Afghanistan in 2005 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, and the second in 2006 to Al Asad, Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Captain Johnson was designated a Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) upon graduation from Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 2-06 in April 2006.
Captain Johnson transferred to Andrews Air Force, Maryland and was promoted to Major in the summer of 2007. Major Johnson was assigned to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 1 (VR-1) as an executive transport pilot in the Commandant’s Flight Detachment. Major Johnson flew Distinguished Visitors all over the world including China, Japan, Ecuador, Brazil, France, and Germany. During his tour with VR-1, Major Johnson was designated a Transport Aircraft Commander (TAC) in the C-20G and C-37B aircraft.
In January 2010, Major Johnson transferred back to Cherry Point, North Carolina and reported to Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 (VMAQ-4) for duty as the Operations Officer. Major Johnson completed 18 months as the squadron Operations Officer, including a combat deployment to Bagram, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in 2011. After returning from Afghanistan, Major Johnson was assigned as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer (AMO). As the AMO, Major Johnson completed a training detachment to Nellis Air Force Base in support of Exercise Red Flag 12-3 and Joint Air Interoperability Exercise Neptune Falcon.
Major Johnson reported to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia in June 2012 for duty as an instructor at Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS). While assigned to Marine Corps University (MCU) and EWS, Major Johnson completed one academic year as a Faculty Advisor (FACAD) and one year as the Warfighting Division Head and Aviation Combat Element (ACE) coordinator. While in Quantico, Major Johnson was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in March 2014 and selected for command.
LtCol Johnson has accumulated over 3000 mishap free flight hours. His personal decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals (MSM), sixteen Strike/Flight Air Medals (AS), two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals (NC), and one Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (NA).