6/25/2010 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Brig. Gen. Paul T. Johnson will be relinquishing command of the base and the 355th Fighter Wing to Col. John A. Cherrey in a military ceremony here at 9 a.m. June 28, 2010.
Lt. Gen. Glen Spears, commander of 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern, will preside over the ceremony.
"Even after two years, I'm still amazed at just how special this place is," General Johnson said in a farewell message to the D-M community. "Now that I'm about to depart, I can only hope that every Airman and civilian here has some measure of pride in how they contribute to some of the most important missions in support of our nation's defense.
"However, the main reason we're good at what we do is you. Your professionalism, dedication, and willingness to sacrifice make it an honor to put on the uniform every day."
General Johnson came to D-M in June 2008, and he was promoted to brigadier general in August 2009. During his tenure, Team D-M's key accomplishments included:
- Deployed more than 2,300 Airmen deployed in support of overseas contingency operations taskings
- Wing Airmen flew 22,800 fighter sorties, totaling 49,100 hours, including 2,400 combat sorties & 10,000-plus combat hours
- Developed innovative fix to A-10 wing crack crisis; achieved 107 percent flying operations despite 63 percent of fleet ground
- Developed land zoning agreement with city, county, and state; secured 568,000 acres for D-M's future use
- Directly responsible for ACC's largest sustainable energy initiative; 20-megawatt solar deal underway to provide D-M with 60 percent renewable energy
- Established on D-M the first charter school ever on an Air Force installation
- Oversaw 12th Air Force's largest air show, which hosted 140,000 visitors; contributed $450,000 economic impact to the community and had a perfect safety record.
General Johnson's will be leaving to become the commander of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
Colonel Cherrey's most recent position was commander of the 451st Expeditionary Operations Group at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
Brig. Gen. Paul T. Johnson, commander of the 355th Fighter Wing, smiles after an orientation flight June 4, 2010, in an HH-60G Pave Hawk. General Johnson, who's scheduled to relinquish command here June 28, will soon be on his way to Afghanistan to command the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing at Kandahar Airfield. Among several other combat assets, the 451st includes the largest HH-60 personnel recovery unit within all of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jerilyn Quintanilla) Hi-res
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Related press release:
D-M, 355th Fighter Wing to change command
Release Number: 050610
6/23/2010 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Col. John A. Cherrey will be taking command of the base and the 355th Fighter Wing from Brig. Gen. Paul T. Johnson in a military ceremony here June 28 at 9 a.m.
Lt. Gen. Glen Spears, commander of 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern, will preside over the military ceremony.
Colonel Cherrey's most recent position was commander of the 451st Expeditionary Operations Group at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
General Johnson will be leaving to become the commander of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. He came to D-M in June 2008, and he was promoted to brigadier general in August 2009.
Media representatives interested in covering this event should RSVP by 12 p.m. June 25 to the 355th FW Public Affairs office by replying to this e-mail or by calling 228-3407. Tentative show time at the Craycroft Gate Visitors' Center will be 8 a.m. Monday, June 28.
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Related other news article:
Commander, D-M community members exchange parting words
by Brig. Gen. Paul T. Johnson
Commander, 355th Fighter Wing
6/25/2010 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Desert Lightning Team,
With my change of command right around the corner, it's with genuine pride that I'll share some parting words with you.
Since I joined in 1985, the Air Force has taken me all over the world. But, even as an A-10 pilot throughout my entire career, I was never stationed at Davis-Monthan until I took command here in 2008.
Even after two years, I'm still amazed at just how special this place is. Now that I'm about to depart, I can only hope that every Airman and civilian here has some measure of pride in how they contribute to some of the most important missions in support of our nation's defense.
Let me first be clear about what the 355th Fighter Wing is primarily here to do. We take some of the best fighter pilots in the world, and we make them even better. We also train Airmen to take A-10s and equipment anywhere in the world to conduct combat operations under any conditions. How do we do it so well? There are many reasons, and several have to do with Southern Arizona itself.
First, the local terrain is very similar to where we're flying combat missions in Southwest Asia. Second, the consistently beautiful Arizona weather almost never interferes with our training sorties. Third, because of how far south we are, much of our airspace is relatively open - we rarely have to compete with commercial air traffic. And maybe most importantly, we have quick access to the Barry M. Goldwater Range, which is one of the few places in the country where our student pilots can practice shooting the A-10 gun and dropping live ordnance.
However, the main reason we're good at what we do is you. Your professionalism, dedication, and willingness to sacrifice make it an honor to put on the uniform every day.
I've had the great fortune to be a student fighter pilot, an instructor to other student pilots, to fly the A-10 in combat, and to command. With that in mind, I can tell you that what we do here matters in a big way, and it would be difficult to replicate it anywhere else.
And to really put this installation in perspective, I haven't yet mentioned the missions of our magnificent partner units, like the 563rd and 943rd Rescue Groups, 55th Electronic Combat Group, 214th Reconnaissance Group, 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, and 12th Air Force headquarters and its Combined Air and Space Operations Center. All of these missions - and more - take place here, and I can't stress enough how essential they all are. Without doubt, great partners make up the Desert Lightning Team.
In every job specialty and at every working location on D-M, Airmen and civilians are supporting the missions that make our Air Force strong, capable and ready -- every day.
It's been a pleasure and honor to serve with all of you. Continue to do what you do, enjoy your time in Tucson, and remind yourselves frequently that you're making a real difference.
Farewell!
PJ
Brig. Gen. Paul T. Johnson
Members of the D-M community also shared their impressions of General Johnson, after getting to know him and his leadership style over the last two years:
"Every time he came in, we know he was about business. But, no matter what your rank, he'd still talk to you. Ask him a man-to-man question, and he'd give you a man-to-man answer. He definitely has a sense of humor, but you always knew how serious he was about the mission."
--Airman 1st Class Maurice Horne, aviation resource manager for the 354th Fighter Squadron
"Great leaders don't just lead; they bring out the best in everybody else, too. General Johnson does just that, from leading the wing at D-M to being an active member of the Tucson community. I truly admire his down-to-earth nature, his honesty and his passion for all that he does. He will be greatly missed, but Tucson and D-M AFB are better off from his time spent with us."
--Nancy Blythe, Military Affairs Committee Chair
"More than any other wing commander I've encountered, General Johnson maintained the perfect balance of understanding details but letting squadron commanders lead their squadron. When the (354th FS) 'Bulldogs' encountered a serious personnel issue, our squadron commander briefed then-Colonel Johnson about the situation. After listening, he nodded and, while he obviously had thoughts and ideas regarding how to handle the situation, his only comment was priceless: 'Sounds like you have a leadership challenge ahead of you.' That quote personifies the general's leadership style."
--Lt. Col. Drew Kapuscak, 355th Training Squadron commander (former director of operations for the 354th)
"General Johnson is a 'fire and forget' leader. He fires the issue to his key staff and then is able to 'forget' about it, because the general has complete trust in our leadership to get results. That style of leadership has really things happen for the Airmen of Davis-Monthan."
--Chief Master Sgt. Manuel Roblesreynoso, 355th Mission Support Group superintendent
"General Johnson's leadership was filled with trust, integrity and respect for his commanders and managers to support the D-M Mission. He provided a clear vision to his commanders and recognized the importance of teamwork between units, servicemembers and civilians, which resulted in a self-confident, productive and smooth-running installation."
--Mike Toriello, deputy civil engineer, 355th Civil Engineer Squadron
"General Johnson is the kind of commander I envisioned when I came into the Air Force. It seems he's mastered both sides of being a good leader. He balances a no-nonsense, mission-oriented attitude with genuine humility, which makes him approachable and amazing to work for. I'm actually moving on from my Air Force career later this month, but I know that General Johnson's leadership example is one I'll think about even in my future civilian career."
--1st Lt. Mary Pekas, deputy chief of public affairs
"On behalf of the DM-50, we wish you and Tricia the best in the future. Be safe in Afghanistan and keep your head down. We look forward to seeing you down the road."
--Glen Kerslake, DM-50 member and former president
"When I think of General Johnson, I remember a quote by Thomas J. Watson: 'Nothing so conclusively proves a man's ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself.' More than anything else, the general leads by example. The way he thoughtfully addresses situations and handles the people around him is inspiring."
--Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Martin, 355th Fighter Wing Protocol
Brig. Gen. Paul T. Johnson is scheduled to relinquish command of Davis-Monthan and the 355th Fighter Wing in a military ceremony here June 28, 2010. After two years at D-M, the general will soon be on his way to Afghanistan to command the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing at Kandahar Airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Dowdle) Hi-res
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Official USAF online biography:
BRIG GEN PAUL T "PJ" JOHNSON
Brig. Gen. Paul T. Johnson is the commander of the 355th Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. He is responsible for one of the largest installations and flying operations in the United States Air Force, with more than 6,700 Airmen, 3,200 civilians, and over 100 aircraft. He serves as the senior officer responsible for organizing, training, and equipping a 22-squadron wing including three fighter squadrons. The 355th Fighter Wing provides A-10 close air support, OA-10 forward air control, combat support forces, and medical forces to combatant commanders worldwide. The 355th Fighter Wing also provides flying training to all active duty Air Force A-10 pilots.
General Johnson entered the Air Force in May 1985 after receiving his commission from Officer Training School, Lackland AFB, Texas. He is a graduate of the USAF Fighter Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev., and a former instructor. He is a fully qualified Joint Specialty Officer having served in the Operations Directorate at U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany. He also served as an Air War College professor in the Department of Strategy and International Security and as a squadron commander. General Johnson has flown missions in support of Operations Desert Storm, Northern Watch and Enduring Freedom. He is a command pilot with more than 2,500 hours in the A-10 attack aircraft and served as commander of the 75th Fighter Squadron, Pope AFB, N.C., and the 354th Operations Group, Eielson AFB, Alaska.
EDUCATION:
1980 Bachelor of Science, Murray State University, Ky.
1990 USAF Fighter Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
1996 US Army Command and General Staff College, Leavenworth, Kan.
1996 Master of Military Arts and Sciences, US Army, Leavenworth, Kan.
1997 Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
2003 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2007 Seminar XXI, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. June 1985 - June 1986, Student, Under Graduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas
2. February 1987 - September 1991, Pilot, Instructor Pilot, Squadron Safety Officer, Squadron Weapons Officer, 353rd Fighter Squadron, Myrtle Beach AFB, S.C.
3. January 1991 - March 1991, Operation DS, King Fahd Air Base, Saudi Arabia
4. October 1991 - June 1995, Instructor Pilot, USAF Fighter Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
5. July 1995 - June 1996, Student, US Army Command and General Staff College, Leavenworth, Kan.
6. June 1996 - June 1999, Action Officer, Operation NW Desk Officer, Senior Watch Officer, J-3, Headquarters European Command, Stuttgart, Germany
7. July 1999 - September 1999, A-10 Re-qualification Training, Barksdale AFB, La.
8. September 1999 - April 2000, Chief of Safety, 23rd Fighter Group, Pope AFB, N.C.
9. April 2000 - April 2002, Operations Officer and Commander, 75th Fighter Squadron, Pope AFB, N.C.
10. August 2002 - June 2003, Student Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
11. June 2003 - July 2004, Faculty Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
12. July 2004 - July 2006, Commander, 354th Operations Group, Eielson AFB, Alaska
13. July 2006 - March 2007, Director for Colonels Management, Air Force Colonels Management Office, Washington, D.C.
14. March 2007 - July 2008, Executive Officer to USAF Vice Chief of Staff
15. July 2008 - Present, Commander, 355th Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Command pilot
Flight hours: More than 2,500
Aircraft flown: A-10
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Air Force Cross
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant - May 1985
First Lieutenant - May 1987
Captain - May 1989
Major - December 1995
Lieutenant Colonel - September 1998
Colonel - June 2004
Brig Gen - August 2009
(Current as of August 2009)
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