Bert Johnston
Encyclopedia
Rear Admiral Charles H. Johnston, United States Navy
, was appointed Vice Commander of the Naval Air Systems Command
, (NAVAIR) at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland
in December 2001.
Johnston grew up in Memphis, Tennessee
, and attended Memphis University School
.
Johnston entered the Navy through the Aviation Officer Candidate Program and was commissioned in October 1973. He received a master of science degree in aeronautical systems from the University of West Florida
while earning his naval aviator wings. He served in Attack Squadron 15 aboard USS America
flying the A-7E Corsair with Adm Mark P. Fitzgerald
. He next reported to Attack Squadron 174 as an instructor pilot and weapons training officer.
In 1981 he was accepted as an aerospace engineering duty officer. His subsequent sea duty was in the Air Department, USS Forrestal. Johnston next studied at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, where he received a master's of science degree in aeronautical engineering (avionics). After graduating from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in 1986 he served as F/A-18 project director, Ordnance Branch head, and chief test pilot, Systems Engineering Test Directorate at the Naval Air Test Center.
In 1989 he reported to the Naval Plant Representative Office Melbourne
, Australia, as the executive officer and later served as commanding officer. From 1992 to 1995 he served in the F/A-18 Program Office, under the program executive officer, Tactical Aircraft Program (PEO TAC), as deputy for production and systems development. He next served as the military director for systems engineering and later as the director of engineering for the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division.
In August 1996 he became Program Manager for Conventional Strike Weapons under the PEO TAC. Johnston has flown in excess of 3,000 flight hours in more than 30 models of fixed and rotary wing aircraft. His honors include the Navy Meritorious Service Medal, the Legion of Merit
, the Navy Commendation Medal, a Navy Achievement Medal and nine unit commendation and campaign awards.
Adm. Johnston's wife is Beverly, they have two children. He retired on April 8, 2005 at NAS Patuxent River.
Johnston is now a Vice President at Wyle Laboratories
, Inc.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, was appointed Vice Commander of the Naval Air Systems Command
Naval Air Systems Command
The Naval Air Systems Command provides material support for aircraft and airborne weapon systems for the United States Navy. NAVAIR was established in 1966 as the successor to the Navy's Bureau of Naval Weapons . Current Commander, Naval Air Systems Command, is Vice Adm. David Architzel since May...
, (NAVAIR) at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
in December 2001.
Johnston grew up in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, and attended Memphis University School
Memphis University School
Memphis University School is an all-male private school for grades 7–12, located in Memphis, Tennessee.-History:MUS was founded in 1893 by Edwin Sidney Werts and James White Sheffey Rhea. MUS is a college-preparatory school. The school's colors, red and blue, were chosen by the founders to...
.
Johnston entered the Navy through the Aviation Officer Candidate Program and was commissioned in October 1973. He received a master of science degree in aeronautical systems from the University of West Florida
University of West Florida
The University of West Florida, also known as West Florida and UWF, is a mid-sized public university located in Pensacola, Florida, United States. UWF is a member institution of the State University System of Florida. The University of West Florida is a Research University, which specializes in...
while earning his naval aviator wings. He served in Attack Squadron 15 aboard USS America
USS America
USS America may refer to:, a 74-gun ship of the line, laid down in 1777, but not launched until 1782.* America pressed into United States naval service as a picket boat during the Civil War., was part of the Civil War “Stone Fleet” deliberately sunk to block the harbor in Charleston, S.C...
flying the A-7E Corsair with Adm Mark P. Fitzgerald
Mark P. Fitzgerald
Mark P. Fitzgerald is a retired United States Navy admiral. He is the former Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe - Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa and Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples. He previously served as Director, Navy Staff from December 2006 to November 2007 and Commander,...
. He next reported to Attack Squadron 174 as an instructor pilot and weapons training officer.
In 1981 he was accepted as an aerospace engineering duty officer. His subsequent sea duty was in the Air Department, USS Forrestal. Johnston next studied at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, where he received a master's of science degree in aeronautical engineering (avionics). After graduating from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in 1986 he served as F/A-18 project director, Ordnance Branch head, and chief test pilot, Systems Engineering Test Directorate at the Naval Air Test Center.
In 1989 he reported to the Naval Plant Representative Office Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia, as the executive officer and later served as commanding officer. From 1992 to 1995 he served in the F/A-18 Program Office, under the program executive officer, Tactical Aircraft Program (PEO TAC), as deputy for production and systems development. He next served as the military director for systems engineering and later as the director of engineering for the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division.
In August 1996 he became Program Manager for Conventional Strike Weapons under the PEO TAC. Johnston has flown in excess of 3,000 flight hours in more than 30 models of fixed and rotary wing aircraft. His honors include the Navy Meritorious Service Medal, the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, the Navy Commendation Medal, a Navy Achievement Medal and nine unit commendation and campaign awards.
Adm. Johnston's wife is Beverly, they have two children. He retired on April 8, 2005 at NAS Patuxent River.
Johnston is now a Vice President at Wyle Laboratories
Wyle Laboratories
Wyle is a privately held provider of specialized engineering, scientific and technical services to the Department of Defense, NASA, and a variety of commercial customers primarily in the aerospace industry...
, Inc.