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Lieutenant Junior Grade Dan Johnson, a 2009 graduate of Elida High School is officially a Naval Aviator. He was previously enlisted with the Air Force for 11 years before earning his degree in Aviation from Bowling Green State University. Dan commissioned as an Officer in the Navy and recently earned his Wings of Gold after almost 3 years of training in various locations like Newport, RI, Pensacola, FL, Corpus Christi, TX, and currently Jacksonville, FL.

During this time he was trained to fly the T-6 Texan II, the T-44 Pegasus, and is currently flying the P-8 Poseidon. After attending Officer Candidate School, some of his training in the various aircrafts included aerobatics like barrel rolls, aileron rolls, tail chase, formation flights, ocean navigation, and aerial refueling. He endured challenges such as 2 weeks of Survival Evasion Resistance & Escape (SERE) School, 1 week of water egress and 2 weeks of survival swimming, 1 week of aviation physiology, firefighter training & ship damage control. Dan has been a part of the following training squadrons during his time in service: VT-6 “Shooters”, VT-35 “Stingrays”, VP-30 “Pro’s Nest”.

Dan is the son of Mike & Tiffany Johnson of Gomer, and is married to Erin Johnson, also of Gomer. Together they have 4 girls and while they miss calling Elida their home, they have enjoyed embarking on this journey together. Until 2021, their children were students at Elida. His commitment to the Navy will take him to retirement in 2034.