Commander Brian Johnson

Executive Officer, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125

05 November 2020 Commander Brian Johnson graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1999 with a degree in Political Science.  Winged a Naval Flight Officer in Pensacola, Florida in February 2001, he received orders to the “Vikings” of VAQ-129 to commence training in the EA-6B Prowler.  He subsequently reported to the VAQ-128 “Fighting Phoenix” in March 2002 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington and deployed in support of combat Operations NORTHERN WATCH and IRAQI FREEDOM in addition to a Western Pacific deployment.

In April 2004, Commander Johnson attended Electronic Attack Weapons School, and upon the disestablishment of VAQ-128, finished his first sea tour with the VAQ-133 “Wizards” as their Prowler Tactics Instructor (PTI) and deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

In February 2005, Commander Johnson reported to the VFA-122 “Flying Eagles” at NAS Lemoore, California to commence training in the F/A-18F Super Hornet.  He subsequently reported to Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific as a PTI specializing in the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD).

Commander Johnson returned to NAS Whidbey Island in January 2008 to the VAQ-132 “Scorpions” as their Training Officer, completing their last deployment in the EA-6B Prowler in support of CDRUSSOUTHCOM aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73).  Following that cruise, the “Scorpions” prepared to become the first operational EA-18G Growler squadron.  Upon completion of transition in 2009, Commander Johnson became the first operational Growler Training Officer, building Advanced Electronic Attack (AEA) tactics, techniques, and procedures for the Navy’s newest weapons system.

In September 2010, he joined the VAQ-138 “Yellow Jackets” as a department head and completed a combat deployment in support of Operation NEW DAWN as the U.S. withdrew all combat forces from Iraq in 2011.

In December 2013, Commander Johnson graduated from the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia with a Masters in Military and Defence Studies while completing Australian Command and Staff College with distinction.  Following War College, he reported to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, J-5 Directorate in Washington DC.

Upon completion of his Joint tour, Commander Johnson proceeded to the VFA-101 “Grim Reapers” at Eglin AFB, Florida in February 2016, serving as the SEAD integration officer for the Navy’s first fifth generation fighter, the F-35C Lightning II, and the last Executive Officer prior to squadron deactivation in May 2019.  While attached to the “Grim Reapers”, Commander Johnson embarked aboard USS WASP (LHD 1) in support of the first operational at-sea deployment of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and integration of JSF with naval surface combatants.

Following VFA-101’s deactivation, Commander Johnson joined the VFA-125 “Rough Raiders” as their Executive Officer in June 2019.  During his career, he has logged over 1,900 flight hours in the EA-6B, F/A-18F, and EA-18G, while flying 176 combat sorties and 435 combat flight hours over the skies of Iraq and Afghanistan.

His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Medals (five awards), Navy Commendation Medals (two awards), Joint Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medals (four awards) and numerous other campaign and unit awards.​