HT-8 Leadership

Commanding Officer

Cmdr. Keith A. Johnson, a native of Forest Hill, Maryland, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Naval Architecture. He was designated a Naval Aviator in March 2007. He qualified as an SH-60B pilot at the Fleet Replacement Squadron in San Diego.

His first operational tour started in December 2007 when he reported to the "Battlecats" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 43 in San Diego, California. His deployments included operations in the 4th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility aboard USS Ford (FFG 54) and USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) serving as detachment operations officer and detachment maintenance officer. He finished his tour as the squadron assistant operations officer.

In February 2011, Johnson reported to the "Hellions" of Helicopter Training Squadron (HT) 28 as an instructor pilot. While assigned to HT-28, he completed his Masters of Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

Following his instructor tour, Johnson reported to USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) in November 2013 as a catapult and arresting gear officer, or shooter. He led the air department's V-3 and V-1 divisions and served as “TOPCAT” for the carrier's 2014 5th Fleet deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve where the ship was awarded the Battle ‘E.’

Upon completion of MH-60R training, he reported to the "Scorpions" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49 in San Diego. He completed a 5th Fleet deployment as a detachment officer in charge aboard USS Lake Erie (CG 70). During his tour, he also served as the squadron safety officer and maintenance officer, where the Scorpions received multiple "Golden Wrench" awards, the Chief of Naval Operations aviation safety award, and the Battle ‘E.’

In November 2018, he reported to United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and served as an air domain chief and senior air domain evaluator in the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and USNORTHCOM Command Center (N2C2), where he was recognized as the N2C2 Field Grade Officer of the Year for 2020.

Johnson has accumulated more than 2,700 flight hours in the T-34, TH-57, TH-73, SH-60B and MH-60R. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy/Marine Corp Achievement Medal (three awards), and various unit awards and ribbons.