Melissa Johnson

Acquisition Executive

U.S. Special Operations Command [USSOCOM]

Melissa A. Johnson, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Acquisition Executive, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Ms. Johnson is responsible for over 1K+ personnel providing rapid and focused acquisition, technology, and logistics support to Special Operations Forces. Ms. Johnson serves as the principal advisor to the Commander, United States Special Operations Command for Special Operations research and development, test, production, fielding, and sustainment of SOF-peculiar programs across aviation, space, cyber, maritime, ground, weapons, and communication systems.

Ms. Johnson graduated from the University of Florida in 1995 and received her commission from the United States Air Force Officer Training School in March 1996. Throughout her 24 years on active duty, Ms. Johnson served in a variety of acquisition assignments and leadership roles. For her final active-duty assignment, she served as the Program Executive Officer for Fixed Wing Programs, Headquarters U.S. Special Operations Command.

Prior to her position as the Acquisition Executive, Ms. Johnson served as the Deputy Director and Acting Director for the Department of the Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office. She was responsible for leveraging streamlined acquisition methods for developing, acquiring and fielding critical capabilities, including the B-21 Raider and X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, at the speed of emerging threats for combat Air and Space Forces and combatant command requirements. She was also responsible for technical integration of Department of Defense classified activities, and the representation of these activities to the Department of the Air Force, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Congress and the White House.

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