Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol) Johnson currently serves as the Commanding Officer of HMLAT-303, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Camp Pendleton, CA. Born in Massachusetts, LtCol Johnson graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering. Second Lieutenant (2ndLt) Johnson was commissioned on 12 December 2008 after completing Officer Candidate School. He then reported to The Basic School (TBS), graduated in July 2009, and reported to Pensacola, FL, for Introductory Flight Screening (IFS).
Following Aviation Pre-flight Indoctrination (API) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, 2ndLt Johnson attended Primary Flight Training at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, OK. Opting for the rotary wing pipeline, he reported to Helicopter Training Squadron 18 (HT-18) at NAS Whiting Field and was promoted to First Lieutenant (1stLt). After completing Advanced Helicopter Training, he was designated a Naval Aviator on 11 April 2011. 1stLt Johnson selected the AH-1W "Cobra" and was assigned to MCAS Camp Pendleton, CA.
In May 2011, 1stLt Johnson began AH-1W training with HMLAT-303 and later joined HMLA-469 in November. He served as a flight schedule writer and deployed to Afghanistan for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 12.1 and 12.2, flying 187 combat missions. Returning in November 2012, he was promoted to Captain (Capt) in January 2013 and started his instructor pilot syllabus, earning the Weapons Training Officer (WTO) designation.
Capt Johnson volunteered for a Forward Air Controller (FAC) assignment with Second Battalion, Fourth Marines (2/4) and attended Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) school in Coronado, CA. In March 2014, he assumed 2/4 Air Officer duties supporting Exercise Desert Scimitar and Mountain Training Exercise. He then deployed to Okinawa, Japan, in October 2014 with Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 2/4 on the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
Returning to HMLA-469 in May 2015, Capt Johnson completed the Aviation Safety Officer course at the Naval School of Aviation Safety in Pensacola, FL. Certified as a Night Systems Instructor (NSI) in December 2015, he also graduated from the Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course 2-16 in April 2016, earning WTI, Air Mission Commander, and Flight Lead designations. He then deployed to Okinawa, Japan, as an AH-1W Pilot Training Officer in support of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP).
In April 2017, Capt Johnson was selected for the U.S. Naval Academy Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Program, earning a Master of Arts in Leadership Education and Development from The George Washington University. He served as the 15th Company Officer at the U.S. Naval Academy and was promoted to Major (Maj) on 1 October 2018.
In August 2019, Maj Johnson returned to HMLA-469 and completed the AH-1Z conversion and tactical refresh syllabi. He served as Director of Safety and Standardization and deployed with the 31st MEU as the H-1 Detachment Officer in Charge, overseeing 106 Marines and seven aircraft. After redeployment, he became the HMLA-469 Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Executive Officer before assuming command of the MAG-39 Headquarters Squadron (HQSQDN-39) “Fortress” on 27 July 2021. He relinquished command on 26 May 2022 and attended resident Command and Staff at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI. Maj Johnson graduated with distinction in June 2023 with a Master of Arts in National Defense and Strategic Studies and accepted joint orders to STRIKFORNATO. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on 1 August 2024 and assumed command of HMLAT-303 “Atlas” on 12 June 2025.
LtCol Johnson’s awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (Strike/Flight Bronze Numeral "7"), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Gold Star), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Gold Star), five Sea Service Deployment ribbons, and various campaign and service awards.