the team that successfully rebalanced the Air Force programs in the $100 billion annual Air Force budget, then led Strategic Air Command operations in 1985, where he directed the refueling and strategic reconnaissance forces during the bombing of Libya. Following his tour in SAC, Johnson became the vice commander of the Pacific Air Forces. In 1987, he became the deputy commander in chief of United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida during Operation Earnest Will, the United States reflagging of Kuwaiti oil tankers and escort operations in the Persian Gulf. Following his tour at USCENTCOM, Johnson served the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as Director of the Joint Staff. Johnson ended his military career as the dual-hatted Commander of United States Transportation Command, the final commander of the Military Airlift Command and the first commander of the Air Mobility Command. Military forces under his command provided all airlift and special operations forces for Operation Just Cause, Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, the movement of troops, equipment, and supplies to and from the Persian Gulf being the most concentrated movement in American military history. Johnson retired from active duty on August 31, 1992. Awards and decorations Johnson is a USAF Command Pilot with more than 7,800 flying hours, more than 1,000 of which were flown under combat conditions. He is also a qualified navigator and parachutist. Later work After retiring from the Air Force, Johnson continued to serve active and former military personnel as the vice chairman of USAA and chairman of the USAA Bank, Investment Management Company, Buying Service and Real Estate. While at USAA, Johnson was appointed by President George H. W. Bush and President Bill Clinton to the 1993 Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC). When Kelly Air Force Base was closed by the 1995 BRAC, Johnson was appointed by the City of San Antonio to serve as the chair of the Local Reuse Authority, which very successfully transformed a "closed" base into a vibrant industrial center. Subsequently, Johnson served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) in Madison, Wisconsin. He also served as president and CEO of EG&G Technical Services and later of EG&G when purchased by The Carlyle Group. On August 3, 2001, President George W. Bush nominated Johnson to serve as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and