Major Karen M. Johnson is the Commander, 477th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. She is responsible for the production and sortie generation requirements for two F-22 Aircraft Maintenance units under the Air Force Reserve Command’s only F-22 associate unit. Additionally, she is responsible for squadron members' daily administrative and readiness requirements.
Maj. Johnson is a 2013 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and served as an aircraft maintenance officer on active duty before becoming a traditional reservist in the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 2019. During her time on active duty, Johnson led maintenance and training for personnel assigned to on-and-off-equipment maintenance for the E-3B/C/G AWACS, C-17 Globemaster III, and the F-22A Raptor.
Johnson deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and participated in multiple joint exercises including NORAD’s Exercise VIGILANT SHIELD in Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada.
EDUCATION
2013 Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2013 United States Air Force, Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
2016 Masters of Science, Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark.
2017 U.S. Air Force, Jet Engine Mishap Investigation Course, Sheppard AFB , Texas
2020 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Aug. 2013 - May 2014, Assistant officer in charge of Maintenance Operations, 552d Maintenance Group, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.
2. May - Nov. 2014, Aerospace Ground Equipment officer in charge, 552d Maintenance Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
3. Nov. 2014 - June 2015, Radar Flight officer in charge, 552d MXS, Tinker AFB, Okla.
4. June 2015 - July 2016, Red Aircraft Maintenance Unit assistant officer in charge, 552d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
5. July 2016 - June 2017, Executive officer, 552d MXG, Tinker AFB, Okla.
6. June 2017 - July 2017, 517 Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge, 703rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
7. July 2017 - Aug. 2018, F-22 Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge, 3d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, JBER, Alaska
8. Aug. 2018 - June 2019, Operations officer, 3d Maintenance Squadron, JBER, Alaska
9. June 2019 - Nov. 2021, Director of Operations, 477th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, JBER, Alaska
10. Nov. 2021 - Present, Commander, 477th AMXS, JBER, Alaska
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Organizational Excellence award with one oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon