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| Raymond E. Johns Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Name | Raymond E. Johns Jr. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Serviceyears | 1976–2014 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | Air Mobility Command, Albuquerque Air Logistics Center, 403rd Wing |
Raymond E. Johns Jr. Raymond E. Johns Jr. is a retired United States Air Force general who served as commander of Air Mobility Command and as Air Force Director of Programs. He held leadership positions involving Air Force Materiel Command, United States Transportation Command, Pacific Air Forces, and United States Central Command logistics, and engaged with defense industry partners including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. His career intersected with major operations and institutions such as Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, United States European Command, United States Northern Command, and NATO.
Johns was raised in a period shaped by institutions like United States Military Academy influences and regional schools tied to Air Force Institute of Technology pipelines. He earned degrees from University of Virginia and completed professional military education at Air War College, National War College, and Naval War College-affiliated programs. His development included fellowships with organizations such as Center for Strategic and International Studies and exchanges with RAND Corporation analysts and Brookings Institution scholars.
Johns commissioned in 1976 and trained in airlift and tanker operations linked to aircraft manufacturers like McDonnell Douglas, Cessna, and Lockheed. He logged command and staff assignments at numbered air forces including Eighteenth Air Force and major commands including Air Mobility Command and Air Combat Command liaison roles. His operational experience spanned theaters served by United States Central Command, United States European Command, Pacific Air Forces, and coordination with coalition partners from United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and NATO members. During contingency operations such as Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Noble Eagle, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, he oversaw strategic airlift, aerial refueling, aeromedical evacuation, and logistics integration involving KC-135 Stratotanker, C-17 Globemaster III, C-5 Galaxy, and Boeing KC-46 Pegasus programs. Johns engaged with acquisition and sustainment stakeholders including Defense Logistics Agency, Air Force Materiel Command, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, and congressional committees such as the United States Senate Armed Services Committee.
Johns commanded operational units like the 403rd Wing and logistics organizations including the Albuquerque Air Logistics Center. He served as deputy director and director-level leader in offices tied to Air Force Personnel Center, Secretary of the Air Force, and Joint Chiefs of Staff processes. As commander of Air Mobility Command, he coordinated global mobility with United States Transportation Command, theater commanders at U.S. Central Command and U.S. European Command, and interagency partners such as Department of State and United States Agency for International Development. His leadership intersected with industry partners including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Raytheon Technologies, and Honeywell International to modernize mobility fleets and infrastructure projects like runway and Dobbins Air Reserve Base upgrades. He participated in multinational exercises such as Red Flag, RIMPAC, Operation Allied Force, and logistics exercises with Japan Self-Defense Forces and Republic of Korea Armed Forces.
Johns received decorations from institutions and authorities including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and joint awards recognizing contributions to operations like Operation Enduring Freedom and multinational efforts under NATO auspices. He was honored with professional recognitions from associations such as the Air Force Association, Association of the United States Army, and aerospace industry groups including National Defense Industrial Association awards. International acknowledgments included medals and commendations from allied militaries such as United Kingdom Ministry of Defence counterparts and coalition partners involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom logistics support.
After retirement he transitioned to roles with defense contractors and think tanks, collaborating with companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and consulting organizations interacting with Defense Logistics Agency and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. He contributed to policy discussions at institutions including Center for Strategic and International Studies, Brookings Institution, Heritage Foundation, and testified before committees such as the United States Senate Armed Services Committee and United States House Armed Services Committee. Johns engaged in advisory boards for aerospace programs related to KC-46 Pegasus, C-17 Globemaster III sustainment, and mobility modernization initiatives coordinated with Air Force Materiel Command and Air Mobility Command successors.
Johns' personal affiliations linked him to veteran and service organizations like Association of the United States Army, Air Force Association, USO, and community foundations supporting families of service members. He has participated in events with educational institutions such as Air War College and National Defense University as a speaker and mentor, and maintained connections with aerospace employers including Boeing and Honeywell International through board and advisory roles.
Category:United States Air Force generals Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal