Arnold's first civilian deployer reflects on time overseas

  • Published
  • By Philip Lorenz III
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  Long before Joshua Johns first came to Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) in 2005, he already knew the best path in life was not always straight nor the easiest one.

"I grew up reading biographies and attempted to model my life after what they did, thinking I would get to those same places," he recalls. "My parents were always there to support whatever I did and pushed me to do things outside of my comfort zone."

Johns said he was initially an electrical engineering student at Tennessee State University, but a decision to transfer to Middle Tennessee State University made him reconsider that field.
"I admit I did not plan on a career at AEDC or even the government, but once I started my co-op program, I selected coursework that pushed me in this direction," he said.

So, when Johns, the finance resource adviser for AEDC's test systems division, first learned he could volunteer to deploy overseas, there was no turning back - his mind was set on going.

In January, Johns became the first civilian employee to deploy to Al Udeid AB from Arnold AFB.

A military base west of Doha, Qatar, Al Udeid AB, houses coalition personnel and assets and serves as the host to a forward headquarters of the United States Central Command.

Motivated by a desire for new experiences, Johns sought out the advice of a co-worker and friend, Tech. Sgt. John Bankston, AEDC's team chief of financial services.

"I just wanted to see something different," Johns said. "I was born and raised within 50 miles of Nashville and I've never really been anywhere. Before I started working for the Air Force, I had never even been on an airplane. I've never really been north of Kentucky or west of the Mississippi. It seemed like an opportunity to do something completely different."

Sergeant Bankston was well aware of his friend's interest in deploying and on the lookout for any opportunities. When an advertisement for three possible positions, two at state-side bases and one at Al Udeid AB, came to his attention, he forwarded the e-mail to Johns.

Sergeant Bankston said his friend wasted no time in responding.

"By the end of the day, Josh had discussed it with his leadership and got approval," Sergeant Bankston recalled. "We sent his name to our FM [financial manager] war planner and it all started to come together after that. Of course, since he was after a 'true deployment,' I figured he would choose the one to Al Udeid since it was overseas."

Johns recently spoke about his deployment experience at a luncheon hosted by the Junior Force Council at the Arnold Lakeside Center.

Sergeant Bankston, who did a six-month deployment to Iraq from May to November 2006, said he could identify with what he heard at the presentation.

"I think Josh nailed it on the spot, the experience," he said. "[It's all about] getting up in the morning at 0600 [hours] and the whole routine" he said. "So, every time he mentioned something, I was like, 'I know what that's like, I can relate.'"

Johns described his role during the 130-day deployment as helping the experts.

"I mostly worked with the joint coalition partners on the funding and acquisition of commodities, radios [being one example], mostly supplies that you can buy in bulk that help support the warfighter," he said. "A lot of what I did was capture costs that were reimbursable to the Air Force that the other joint coalition partners were not currently paying - described those costs that actually go to the partner and capture reimbursements. I worked capturing costs and reimbursements from contractors as well."

Capt. Joshua Weed, the wing executive officer for the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF, Mildenhall, England, recalls his time working with Johns during the deployment to Qatar.

"Mr. Johns worked for me in the budget office," he said.  "He was an exceptional member of the team.

"He was the only civilian in the 15-person comptroller squadron, but he made consistent strides to be a member of the team and participate in all military activities and exercises along the way. I can't say enough good things about Mr. Johns' efforts, dedication to our mission and exceptional performance during his AEF deployment. "

Captain Weed added, "He was recognized as the wing civilian of the month, which is quite an accomplishment at any wing, but especially at the largest composite wing in the Air Force."

Johns, who holds a bachelor's degree in finance and a master's in economics, said he enjoys keeping up with the market in his spare time as well.

When he isn't busy keeping up with the world of finance, he focuses on more down-to-earth projects, like putting in new laminate wood floors in his home.

His advice to high school students is simple and to the point.

"Keep your eyes open to opportunity and don't fixate on a specific path," he said.