MAJOR GENERAL DAVID B. JOHNSON
Maj. Gen. David B. Johnson is the Assistant Adjutant General for Air, Ohio National Guard, at Joint Force Headquarters, Columbus, Ohio. In this role, he is responsible to the Commander of the Ohio Air National Guard for directing Air National Guard operations and establishing policy to ensure mission readiness of more than 4,700 personnel assigned to four air wings and four geographically separated support units. His leadership and oversight ensure the mission readiness of the Ohio Air National Guard to support community, state, and federal missions. Maj. Gen. Johnson is also serving as the Chair of the Strategic Planning System Steering Committee where he oversees the activities, develops, and guides the implementation of Strategic Partnerships.
Maj. Gen. Johnson first enlisted in the Ohio Air National Guard in 1986 as a Jet Engine Mechanic on the A-7D. He then commissioned through the Academy of Military Science earning Distinguished Graduate in 1994. Following his commission, Maj. Gen. Johnson attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. He is a command pilot with more than 5,100 hours of military flight time and has deployed in support of operations Decisive Endeavor, Deliberate Guard, Southern Watch, Joint Guard, Phoenix Scorpion III, Noble Eagle, Northern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve and Resolute Support. Prior to assuming his current role as the Assistant Adjutant General for Air, he served as the Ohio Air National Guard Chief of Staff, Joint Force Headquarters, Columbus, Ohio.
EDUCATION
1993 Bachelor of Arts, Aviation Management, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
1994 Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
2002 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2007 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2013 Mobility Commander Tactics Course, Rosecrans Municipal Airport, St. Joseph, Mo.
2014 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2015 Safety Board President Course, Memphis ANGB, Tenn.
2016 USAF Operations Group Commanders Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 USAF Senior Leader Mission Generation Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 Director of Mobility Forces (DM4), Hurlburt AFB, Fla.
2019 USSTRACOM Nuclear Commanders Course, Offutt AFB, Neb.
2021 Master of Science, Organizational Leadership, Columbia Southern University, Ala.
2022 Joint Commander Training Course, Ft. Carson, Colo.
2022 Senior Leader Nuclear Management, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2022 Dual Status Commander Course, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo.
2023 National Security Studies Management Course, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, N.Y.
2024 Senior Leader Orientation Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 1986 - July 1994, Jet Engine Mechanic, 121st Tactical Fighter Wing, Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio
2. July 1994 - July 1995, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas
3. July 1995 - January 2004, KC-135R Pilot, 145th Air Refueling Squadron, Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio
4. January 2004 - July 2005, Functional Check Flight Officer, 121st Maintenance Group, Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio
5. July 2005 - July 2008, Flight Commander, 166th Air Refueling Squadron, Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio
6. July 2008 - February 2013, Assistant Operations Officer, 166th Air Refueling Squadron, Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio
7. February 2013 - September 2013, Commander, 145th Air Refueling Squadron, Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio
8. October 2013 - July 2015, Commander, 166th Air Refueling Squadron, Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio
9. July 2015 - October 2018, Commander, 179th Operations Group, Mansfield ANGB, Ohio (December 2017 - March 2018, Commander, 385th Air Expeditionary Group, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar)
10. October 2018 - January 2019, Director of Operations, Joint Force Headquarters, Beightler Armory, Columbus Ohio
11. January 2019 - June 2021, Commander, 121st Air Refueling Wing, Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio
12. June 2021 - March 2022, Deputy Director J3, JFHQ, Beightler Armory, Columbus, Ohio
13. March 2022 - January 2023, Chief of Staff, JFHQ, Beightler Armory, Columbus, Ohio
14. January 2023 - Present, Assistant Adjutant General - Air, JFHQ, Beightler Armory, Columbus, Ohio
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: 5,900
Aircraft flown: T‐37, T‐41, T-1A, KC-135R/T, MD-80, C-130 H, C-17A, A320
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 9, 1994
First Lieutenant Aug. 1, 1996
Captain Aug. 1, 1998
Major Aug. 1, 2002
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 1, 2009
Colonel July 27, 2015
Brigadier General March 18, 2022
Major General Nov. 21, 2024
(Current as of February 2025)
