Weapons Division's Tim Johnson awarded Bronze Star

Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) Juan M. Garcia III (right) congratulates CDR Tim Johnson after presenting Johnson with the Bronze Star award for meritorious service in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. U.S. Navy photo by Mike Johnson

Date: 27-May-10
News Release Number: ECL201005271

On May 13, 2010, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Juan M. Garcia III pinned the Bronze Star Medal on Commander Timothy E. Johnson, USNR. Johnson is a member of the Naval Reserve's Digital Kill Chain Combat Test and Evaluation Detachment B (DKC CT&E Det B) at China Lake, Calif. As part of Armed Forces Day observances at China Lake and Ridgecrest, Calif., Assistant Secretary Garcia met with the detachment and was on hand to present the meritorious award.

CDR Johnson was recognized for his exceptional service as the Joint Combat Assessment Team Officer in Charge with the Multi-National Corps in Baghdad, Iraq from January to July 2009. He led a team of four assessors responsible for aviation battle damage reports resulting from surface-to-air fire for all multi-national divisions in the Iraqi theater of operation. Two specific missions were cited as having been critical in the development of new tactics, techniques and procedures to protect all aviators in theater. "During these missions," the citation states, "CDR Johnson was placed at significant risk of hostile action during sustained periods on the ground and, throughout his deployment, he was exposed to indirect fire attacks on his forward operating base."

Serving his country is a two-fold mission for Johnson. In addition to his Reserve status, he is the civilian lead for the Advanced Systems Integrated Product Team (IPT) at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake. As a civil servant and a Naval Reservist, Johnson has much more than just a full-time job. To be deployed in theater meant stressful time away from the office and a busy family. Johnson expressed thanks to his wife, Barb, and their four children for easing the burden and "taking the reins".

Johnson was also appreciative of the time Assistant Secretary Garcia spent with detachment personnel during his visit. "He's personable and very interested in all of the Navy, but especially the Reserves whose issues he is responsible for," Johnson said of Garcia. "As a Reservist himself, he understands supporting the warfighter and the Fleet. This was an opportune time for Assistant Secretary Garcia to see what we do when we deploy to OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, and I felt honored to have him formally present me with this special award."

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