Meet the new MSG commander

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt Frank Hartnett
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Duty, excellence, and foresight.

These are crucial traits that Col. Karlton D. Johnson, the 354th Mission Support Group commander, said he believes Airmen need to succeed.

"The word on the street is that I am a back to basics guy," said Colonel Johnson. "And the basics start with The Airman's creed--getting back to what it really means to be an Airman." His 5-year-old son knows the Airman's Creed, and Col Johnson said he challenges all Airmen to understand the meaning behind the creed.

The Airman's Creed summarizes what it means to be an American Airman and within its four paragraphs it states, ''I am a warrior. I have answered my Nation's call... I will never leave an Airman behind." Colonel Johnson said he saw these values turned into action on his previous assignment in Iraq, during what many consider a perilous time in the United States' history.

"My experiences in Baghdad reinforced why the Airman's Creed values are important," said the New Jersey native. "I have been in situations where we had wounded Airmen, you had to make decisions to take cover or actually go in harms way and save your battle buddy. That's what we do, we don't leave Airmen behind."

In Baghdad he served as the Director of Communications, Multinational Security Transition Command. Colonel Johnson worked with collation forces to rebuild the communication infrastructure and communication leadership of the Iraqi government. At his deployed assignment he said he faced the challenge of reversing a culture institutionalized by Saddam Hussein.

In this harsh environment he said he learned several important lessons which tempered his leadership skills as an advisor. First, advisors need expertise to be effective. Second, successful plans are clearly understood by everyone who serves a role in the plan. Third, seek to understand and embrace change.

Colonel Johnson's current assignment puts him in charge of a team responsible for supporting the Eielson mission and base community. He places special importance on all missions, to include RED FLAG-Alaska.

"The challenge is understanding the implications of why missions like RED FLAG-Alaska are important," said the 20 year veteran.

He added he believed some Airmen might be challenged to realize the importance of RF-A given today's deployment operations and requirements. However, the colonel offers some perspective to those Airmen.

"Your role might not be clearly seen but we are all shaping the perspective of our allies and partners that step off the jet."

Education and academics are also a hot topic with the MSG commander. He said academic pursuits lead to better Airmen, but cautions against "filling the block".

"I have talked to many Airmen about education," said Colonel Johnson. "I ask them 'why are you getting a degree?' If you are getting a degree only because it will be on your record, I submit you are doing it for the wrong reasons." He added that focus should be on building capabilities and capacity in yourself as an Airman that will translate to capabilities and capacity for the Air Force.

From answering the Nation's call to doing things for the right reasons, Colonel Johnson said he urges Airmen to remember the values that make them an American Airmen and to remember the efforts that go into holding that title.

"I am an American Airman first, and a specialist second." said Colonel Johnson. "My goal is one team, one fight moving towards a common goal. With energy, acceleration, precision and poise, we're going to engage the fight, support the warfighter, and keep our families safe by being the best at what we do."