Gregory G. Johnson
Encyclopedia
Admiral Gregory G. Johnson (born 1946) is a retired United States Navy admiral, and former commander U.S. Naval Forces, Europe and Allied Forces, Southern Europe.
. He graduated from the University of Maine
with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. Following Aviation Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned in 1969 and designated a Naval Aviator in 1970.
His initial sea duty assignment was in VA-66 flying the A-7E Corsair II and deploying in USS Nimitz
. Subsequent squadron and sea duty assignments include VFA-86
on USS Nimitz; VA-174; Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of VA-105
(Marine Air Group Twelve and USS Forrestal); Deputy Commander, Carrier Air Wing Six on USS Forrestal; and Commander, Carrier Air Wing Three
on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower
.
Shore duty assignments include the Command and Staff Course, Naval War College
(graduating with highest distinction); Systems Analysis Division (OP-96) of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; F/A-18/A-7 Readiness Officer on the staff Commander Naval Air Force, United States Atlantic Fleet; Joint Chiefs of Staff as Head of the European Command/Central Command Branch of the Joint Operations Division (JOD), Operations Directorate (J-3); and Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as the Executive Assistant to the Chairman.
Johnson was selected for flag rank in February 1995. His first flag assignment was as the Director of Operations, Plans, and Policy (N3/N5) on the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet staff. In February 1996, he reported as Commander, Carrier Group Eight/USS Theodore Roosevelt
Battle Group where he served until August 1997. In September 1997 he reported as the Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense
.
In May 1999, he assumed duties as the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense
. His previous assignment was Commander, United States Sixth Fleet and Naval Striking and Support Forces Southern Europe. Admiral Johnson assumed duties as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe and Commander in Chief, Allied Forces, Southern Europe on October 24, 2001. He retired from the Navy in December 2004. His decorations and awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal
with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Defense Superior Service Medal
, Legion of Merit
with two Gold Award Stars, Defense Meritorious Service Medal
, Meritorious Service Medal
with two Gold Award Stars, Air Medal
, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various service and campaign awards. In 2003, he was awarded the Naval War College Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award
.
. He started Snow Ridge Associates, a consulting firm. He is also a member of the Energy Security Leadership Council and sits on the board of directors of Integrian, a surveillance technology company. He is also an Outside Director of CACI International.
Johnson serves as a co-leader of the National Security Project (NSP) at the Bipartisan Policy Center
.
Military career
Admiral Johnson is a native of Westmanland, MaineWestmanland, Maine
Westmanland is a town in Aroostook County, Maine, United States. The population was 71 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and , or 2.49%, is water.-History:...
. He graduated from the University of Maine
University of Maine
The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System...
with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. Following Aviation Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned in 1969 and designated a Naval Aviator in 1970.
His initial sea duty assignment was in VA-66 flying the A-7E Corsair II and deploying in USS Nimitz
USS Independence (CV-62)
The fifth USS Independence is a of the United States Navy. It was the fourth and final member of the Forrestal-class conventional-powered Supercarrier...
. Subsequent squadron and sea duty assignments include VFA-86
VFA-86
Strike Fighter Squadron 86 is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. Known as the Sidewinders, they fall under the command of Carrier Air Wing Eleven...
on USS Nimitz; VA-174; Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of VA-105
VFA-105
Strike Fighter Squadron 105 also known as the "Gunslingers" is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The "Gunslingers" are an operational fleet squadron and fly the F/A-18E Super Hornet...
(Marine Air Group Twelve and USS Forrestal); Deputy Commander, Carrier Air Wing Six on USS Forrestal; and Commander, Carrier Air Wing Three
Carrier Air Wing Three
Carrier Air Wing Three , known as the "Battle Axe", is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Harry S...
on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is an aircraft carrier currently in service with the United States Navy. Commissioned in 1977, the ship is the second of the ten Nimitz-class supercarriers currently in service, and is the first ship named after the thirty-fourth President of the United States, Dwight D....
.
Shore duty assignments include the Command and Staff Course, Naval War College
Naval War College
The Naval War College is an education and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. The college is located on the grounds of Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island...
(graduating with highest distinction); Systems Analysis Division (OP-96) of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; F/A-18/A-7 Readiness Officer on the staff Commander Naval Air Force, United States Atlantic Fleet; Joint Chiefs of Staff as Head of the European Command/Central Command Branch of the Joint Operations Division (JOD), Operations Directorate (J-3); and Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as the Executive Assistant to the Chairman.
Johnson was selected for flag rank in February 1995. His first flag assignment was as the Director of Operations, Plans, and Policy (N3/N5) on the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet staff. In February 1996, he reported as Commander, Carrier Group Eight/USS Theodore Roosevelt
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
USS Theodore Roosevelt is the fourth Nimitz-class supercarrier. Her radio call sign is Rough Rider, the name of President Theodore Roosevelt's volunteer cavalry unit during the Spanish-American War...
Battle Group where he served until August 1997. In September 1997 he reported as the Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense
United States Deputy Secretary of Defense
The Deputy Secretary of Defense is the second-highest ranking official in the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Deputy Secretary of Defense is appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate...
.
In May 1999, he assumed duties as the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense
United States Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...
. His previous assignment was Commander, United States Sixth Fleet and Naval Striking and Support Forces Southern Europe. Admiral Johnson assumed duties as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe and Commander in Chief, Allied Forces, Southern Europe on October 24, 2001. He retired from the Navy in December 2004. His decorations and awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States...
with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
, 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...
with two Gold Award Stars, Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
The Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense...
, Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with two Gold Award Stars, Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various service and campaign awards. In 2003, he was awarded the Naval War College Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award
Naval War College Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award
The Naval War College Distinguished Graduate leadership Award was established in 1996 by the Trustees of the Naval War College Foundation to honor United States Naval War College graduates who have attained positions of prominence in the field of national security.-Criteria:The criteria for...
.
Post military
After retiring from the Navy, Johnson settled in Harpswell, MaineHarpswell, Maine
Harpswell is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, which is geographically within Casco Bay in the Gulf of Maine. The population was 5,239 at the 2000 census. Harpswell is composed of land contiguous with the rest of Cumberland County, called Harpswell Neck, as well as several large and small...
. He started Snow Ridge Associates, a consulting firm. He is also a member of the Energy Security Leadership Council and sits on the board of directors of Integrian, a surveillance technology company. He is also an Outside Director of CACI International.
Johnson serves as a co-leader of the National Security Project (NSP) at the Bipartisan Policy Center
Bipartisan Policy Center
The is a non-profit organization that "drives principled solutions through rigorous analysis, reasoned negotiation, and respectful dialogue." Founded in 2007 by former Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole, and George Mitchell, "BPC combines politically-balanced policymaking...
.