Denver (LPD 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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Capt. B. E. Johanson Commanding Officer USS DENVER(LPD-9) Captain Johanson, a native of Salem, Oregon, entered the Navy in April 1 977. He attended Recruit Training in San Diego, Machinist ' s Mate A school at Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois and Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida. Following completion of Nuclear Power Training, Captain Johanson was selected for a Navy Scholarship Program at Jacksonville University, where he graduated with a Bach- elor of Science Degree in Chemistry (Summa Cum Laude) in 1 980. Following graduation. Captain Johanson reported for flight training at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida where he was designated a Naval Flight Officer in May 1 981 . He completed Fleet Replacement Training in the A-6E Intruder and the following year reported to VA-1 45 where he completed deployments to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean onboard USS RANGER and USS KITTY HAWK. In 1986, Captain Johanson completed training at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and served as Project Officer for the Navy ' s A-6F test program and several advanced ordnance projects. In 1988, Captain Johanson reported for duty as the Strike Operations Officer for Commander, Carrier Group THREE. During this tour he completed deployments onboard USS CARL VINSON and to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he provided the initial Tomahawk Cruise Missile planning for Operation Desert Storm. During the Gulf War, Captain Johanson was assigned to the Pentagon ' s Crisis Action Team, where he provided the daily war plans brief to the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 1 991 , Captain Johanson reported for duty as an Instructor at the Navy ' s Strike Warfare Center in Fallon, Nevada where he served as Tactics Department Head and in 1992 he reported to VA-95 as Operations Officer. While assigned to the A-95 Green Lizards , he completed a deployment to the Arabian Gulf onboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN and flew missions in support of Operation Southern Watch (Iraq) and Continue Hope (Somalia). Captain Johanson completed his Masters Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies at the Naval War College in 1 995 and then reported as Executive Officer of VS-29 in 1 996, where he com- pleted his sixth WESTPAC lndian Ocean deployment onboard USS KITTY HAWK. The next year he took command of the VS-29 Dragonfires and led the squadron through a highly successful set of workups and deployment to the Persian Gulf onboard USS CARL VINSON. In November 1 998, he was selected once again to attend the Navy ' s Nuclear Power School, this time in preparation for duties as Executive Officer of USS RONALD REAGAN, the Navy ' s newest Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carrier. Following a highly success- ful stand-up of the plankowner crew, he reported for duty in May 2002 as Commanding Officer, USS DENVER (LPD 9). His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards). Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards). Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards) and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (2 awards).