Col. Matthew R. Johnston is the Commander, 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. He is responsible for delivering fifth generation combat airpower to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. He supplies a dedicated fourth generation Alert Fighter Cell for the North American Aerospace Defense Command-Northern Command Homeland Defense mission. He also provides high-end, multi-domain combat training to U.S. and international partners via RED FLAG-Alaska, a premier multinational large-force training exercise.
Col. Johnston earned his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 2001. He then served in a variety of operational and training F-16 assignments. In 2010, Col. Johnston was selected as an initial cadre for the F-35, where he upgraded developmental and operational test pilots. He is a graduate of the Naval Command and Staff College, Maritime Advanced Warfighting School and National War College.
Col. Johnston has commanded at the squadron and group levels. He has served as the Southeast Asia Branch Chief overseeing the South China Seas region. He is also a former Deputy Division Chief for Europe and Eurasia for the Director of Strategy, Plans, and Policy, the Joint Staff, Pentagon. Col. Johnston is a command pilot with more than 2,400 flying hours. His operational experience includes missions in Operations NOBLE EAGLE and IRAQI FREEDOM. Prior to his current position, Colonel Johnston was the Deputy Commander, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB, Ariz.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science in Management, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.
2002 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2005 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2010 Master of Business Administration, Colorado State University, Colo.
2011 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., correspondence
2015 Master of National Security and Defense Strategies, Naval Command and Staff College, Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport, R.I.
2015 Advanced Studies Group, Maritime Advanced Warfighting School, NAVSTA Newport, R.I.
2020 Master of National Security Strategy, National War College, National Defense University, Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C.
2022 Doctor of Education, Applied Educational Studies, Oklahoma State University
2024 Enterprise Perspective Seminar, Alan L. Freed, Washington D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 2001—April 2002, Executive Officer, 14th Airlift Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.
2. April 2002—April 2003, Student, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Sheppard AFB, Texas
3. August 2003—May 2004, Student, F-16 Initial Flight Qualification, Lackland AFB, Texas
4. May 2004—May 2005, Assistant Weapons Officer, Scheduler and F-16CG Wingman, 36th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea
5. May 2005—October 2007, F-16CM Instructor, Chief of Training and Assistant Weapons Officer, 34th Fighter Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
6. October 2007—October 2010, F-16CM Evaluator, Chief of Training and Flight Commander, 309th Fighter Squadron; Link-16 Program Manager and Activities Security Manager, 56th Operational Support Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
7. October 2010—July 2014, F-35A Evaluator, Flight Commander, Chief of Training and Assistant Director of Operations of Standardization and Evaluation, 58th Fighter Squadron; Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, 33rd Operations Group, Eglin AFB, Fla.
8. July 2014—September 2015, Intermediate Developmental Education, Naval Command and Staff College; Maritime Advanced Warfighting School, NAVSTA Newport, R.I.
9. September 2015—June 2017, F-35A Instructor and Director of Operations, 388th Operations Support Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
10. June 2017—May 2019, F-35A Evaluator and Commander, 34th Fighter Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
11. June 2019—June 2020, Senior Developmental Education, National War College, Ft McNair, Washington, D.C.
12. June 2020—April 2021, Southeast Asia Branch Chief in the Directorate for Strategy, Plans and Policy, the Joint Staff, Pentagon. Washington, D.C.
13. April 2021—June 2022, Deputy Division Chief for Central Europe and Eurasia in the Directorate for Strategy, Plans, and Policy, the Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
14. June 2022—June 2024, Commander, 56th Operations Group, Luke AFB, Ariz.
15. June 2024—June 2025, Deputy Commander, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB, Ariz.
16. July 2025—Present, Commander, 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson AFB, Alaska
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 2400
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, AT-38, F-16C/D, F-35A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with seven oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Iraqi Campaign Medal with one service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
(Current as of July 2025)