Name: 

SMSgt Craig Johnson

War and branch of service? Years of service? 

U.S. Navy for 10 years and USAF for 23 years.

Where did you serve? What type of work did you perform? 

Aircraft carriers Carl Vinson and Nimitz as an F14 Tomcat and EA6B jet engine mechanic, and flight deck final checker at McChord Field as a C-141 and C-17 flying Loadmaster, 313th Airlift squadron Loadmaster superintendent.

Why did you join? Were you drafted or did you enlist? 

I enlisted at 19 in April 1985.

Tell us about a couple of your most memorable experiences. 

Landing a C-17 weighing 400,000 pounds on a sea ice runway in Antarctica. While unloading, three emperor penguins came to watch.

Were you awarded any medals or citations? How did you get them? 

Many medals. Earned eleven air medals for flying over 250 combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. Earned an aerial achievement medal for airlifting the first M1A1 tank directly into combat on the sixth day of the Iraq war.

Did you make any close friendships while in the service? Did you continue any of those relationships? For how long? 

I made very close friends and remain in contact with many that I served with.

How did your service and experiences affect your life? 

It dramatically changed me as a person.

What did you go on to do as a career after the war? 

Real estate investor, owned a small construction company. Now retired and restoring classic Boss Mustangs.

What brought you to live in Las Sendas? How long have you lived here? What do you like most about living in Las Sendas? 

My cousin lives in Las Sendas, so we discovered this great community while visiting. We have owned our home since 2015 and have wintered over one year. I love the sense of community and all the activities that Las Sendas hosts.