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USTRANSCOM Chief of Staff retires after 38-year military career

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SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - Surrounded by family, friends and colleagues past and present, U.S. Transportation Command's Chief of Staff Army Maj. Gen. William H. Johnson ended his 38-year military career in a ceremony here Aug. 13. The Army Reservist has spent more than four years on active duty with USTRANSCOM.

Air Force Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, USTRANSCOM commander, officiated at the retirement and presented him with the Distinguished Service Medal and personal letters of congratulations from President Barak Obama, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr.

The Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, former USTRANSCOM commander, joined by his wife Suzie, attended the ceremony and spoke of his great respect for Johnson.

Joining Johnson at the event were his wife, Melanie, and other members of his family.

Like many Army Reserve soldiers, Johnson has been required by duty to spend long stretches of time far from home several times throughout that career.

"We're 'citizen-soldiers.' We are in the reserves to be called on as individuals and units when required by our nation," he said, "so you always train and prepare for the time when you will be called."

The first time he was called was toward the end of Operation Desert Storm, when his unit, the 1188th Transportation Terminal Unit, East Point, Ga., was activated for a short period.

Later, shortly after his promotion to brigadier general and assignment to USTRANSCOM as a reservist, he found himself reporting for active duty on Sept. 13, 2001, to support the command's operations directorate in those critical months following the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

In 2004 he deployed overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, taking command of the 143rd Transportation Command (Forward) at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Upon his return from Kuwait, now a major general, Johnson assumed command of the 99th Regional Readiness Command, Coraopolis, Pa. Because of the responsibilities of this new assignment, he wasn't able to return full time to his civilian career as Director of Purchasing and Sourcing at Encompass Group, LLC, of McDonough, Ga., where he is a partner.

"I was doing Army 50 percent and Encompass 50 percent," Johnson explained, "and I thought that was pretty much how I'd end my career."

That's when he was selected for a two-year active duty assignment as chief of staff USTRANSCOM. His selection was part of a Department of Defense program referred to as the "Chairman's Ten" designed to place Reserve Component Generals and Admirals in positions of strategic significance. He decided to accept the assignment which began in January 2006. His tour was later extended an additional two years.

"The sun never sets on the United States Transportation Command," said Johnson, referring to its worldwide, 24-7 mission.

USTRANSCOM, one of 10 of the nation's combatant commands, provides air, land and sea transportation, terminal management and aerial refueling to support the global deployment, employment, sustainment and redeployment of U.S. forces.

"I don't think many of our citizens are really aware of what a truly magnificent national resource we have in USTRANSCOM," Johnson said.

One of his accomplishments during his tenure as chief of staff was executing the business plan developed to implement the decisions of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission. This included the co-location of the Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command with USTRANSCOM and its air component, Air Mobility Command, which resulted in $1.2 billion in savings.

One of the most visible and lasting results of this $130 million project was the construction of USTRANSCOM's new 210,000 sq. ft. facility. Johnson helped to officially open the facility the day before he retired.

While he knows firsthand the sacrifices reservists make to serve their country, Johnson was quick to point out the difficulties their employers' experience.

"I think it's really harder on the businesses," he explained, "We ask a lot of our employers to support us when we have to pick up and serve the nation in a military capacity. We owe a lot to those employers who find ways to support their employees who are members of the reserves, who make accommodations and certainly welcome them back when the duty is complete."

He added, "They are real patriots."

For Johnson, the Army is a family tradition. Both his parents were officers in World War II, his brothers James and Tom are retired colonels, and his son-in-law, Maj. David Key, is on active duty. His father-in-law is retired Maj. Gen. Emory Parrish.

While Johnson said he has grown quite fond of southern Illinois and the St. Louis metro area - he's even become a St. Louis Cardinals fan (although he still misses the Atlanta Braves) - the avid golfer admits that the winter weather around Scott Air Force Base is a little too cold for his tastes.

With the milder winters, "... maybe I'll get more weekends of golf in back in Georgia," said the Morrow, Ga. resident. "It's good to be going back to Georgia -- I miss the red clay."

Johnson holds a master's degree in business administration from Boston University. His military awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Army Achievement Medal. He was also awarded the Senior Army Aviator Badge, and Excellence in Competition Badge (Bronze Pistol).
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