BRIGADIER GENERAL MITCHELL R. JOHNSON
Brig Gen Mitchell R. Johnson is the North Dakota National Guard Adjutant General and Director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) at Bismarck, N.D. The department provides 24/7 emergency communications and resource coordination with more than 50 lead and support agencies, private enterprise, and voluntary organizations to assist local jurisdictions in disaster and emergency response activities. It administers federal disaster recovery program and the Homeland Security Grant Program. NDDES also manages the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) that serves as a national clearinghouse through which member states may request and provide mutual aid assistance.
Brig Gen Johnson was commissioned in May 1997 through ROTC at Michigan Tech, Houghton, Mich. General Johnson is a native of Central Minnesota. He was selected for an Air Force Institute of Technology Civilian Institution Program and earned his master’s degree in 1998. Upon completion of pilot training, General Johnson served in multiple flying assignments in AMC, AETC, and AFSOC during his 12 years on active duty. He has command at the Wing, Group and Squadron level, and flow tactical aircraft, special operations attack and remotely piloted aircraft deployments. Prior to his assignment, General Johnson served as the Chief of Staff – Air for Joint Force Headquarters.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Mich.
1998 Master of Science, Aerospace Engineering, AFIT Civilian Institution, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2003 Squadron Officer school, Distinguished Graduate, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2007 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2016 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1997 - June 1998, AFIT Civilian Institution Program, Peterson AFB, Colo.
2. June 1998 - September 1999, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, Okla.
3. September 1999 - January 2002, C-130 Pilot, Chief of Flying Safety, 50 Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
4. January 2002 - June 2005, T-37 IP, Flight Commander, Wing SATAF Officer, Vance AFB, Okla.
5. June 2005 - February 2009, AC-130U Aircraft Commander, Chief of Plans, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
6. February 2009 - February 2010, MQ-1 Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, Hector IAP, Fargo, N.D.
7. February 2010 - November 2011, Operations Officer, 119th Operations Support Squadron, Hector IAP, Fargo, N.D.
8. November 2011 - May 2012, Commander, 177th Airlift Squadron, Hector IAP, Fargo, N.D.
9. May 2012 - October 2014, Commander, 119th Operations Support Squadron, Hector IAP, Fargo, N.D.
10. November 2014 - March 2016, Commander, 178th Reconnaissance Squadron, Hector IAP, Fargo, N.D.
11. March 2016 - August 2018, Commander, 119th Operations Group, Hector IAP, Fargo, N.D.
12. August 2018 - March 2021, Vice Commander, 119th Wing, Hector IAP, Fargo, N.D.
13. March 2021 - January 2024, Commander, 119th Wing, Hector IAP, Fargo, N.D.
14. February 2024 - April 2024, Deputy Chief of Staff, Air, Joint Force Headquarters, Fargo, N.D.
15. April 2024 - Present, Chief of Staff, JFHQ, Bismarck, N.D.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 5,000 (more than 1,000 combat hours)
Aircraft flown: T-37, C-12, C-130 E/H3, AC-130U, MQ-1, C-21, MQ-9
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 16, 1997
First Lieutenant June 16, 1999
Captain June 16, 2001
Major April 1, 2007
Lieutenant Colonel Nov. 30, 2011
Colonel May 25, 2017
Brigadier General April 30, 2024
(Current as of September 2024)
