Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division
Chief Engineer, Naval Air Systems Command

Rear Admiral John Dougherty, IV, is a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He graduated with merit from the United States Naval Academy in 1995. He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.

After earning his Wings of Gold and completing Fleet Replacement Squadron training at Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125, he joined Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, where he flew combat strike missions in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). He was then assigned as an instructor pilot at VFA-125, where he served as the assistant operations officer and the out of control flight phase head. During these tours, he accumulated more than 1,200 flight hours in the F/A-18C and completed over 300 carrier landings.

Before transitioning to the Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer community in 2006, Dougherty served as a strategic planner on the Combined Forces Command Afghanistan staff in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Rear Admiral Dougherty’s acquisition tours include Airborne Rockets and Pyrotechnics Integrated Product Team lead for the Direct and Time Sensitive Strike Weapons Program Office (PMA-242); F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program Office Deputy Director of Development; F/A-18E/F and EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265) Weapon System Integration & Radar Lead; and Unmanned Carrier Aviation Program Office (PMA-268) Class Desk.

From 2017 to 2021, he served as program manager for the Precision Strike Weapons Program Office (PMA-201), which encompasses several major air-to-ground weapon programs for naval aviation, including the largest Naval Air Systems Command foreign military sales portfolio.

In 2021, Rear Admiral Dougherty served as the first slated program manager for the Navy’s Next Generation Air Dominance Program Office (PMA-230).  

He assumed his current position as Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division and Chief Engineer, Naval Air Systems Command, in August 2022.

Dougherty’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (three), Meritorious Service Medal (two), Air Medal (two), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two) and various other unit awards.