Erik Johnson

Erik Johnson is the Director for Deterrence Programs at the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska, the University Affiliated Research Center designated by the U.S. Department of War and sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command.

In his role, Johnson represents NSRI and NU with USSTRATCOM, UARC sponsor. Only 15 institutions of higher education in the country hold this designation from the DOW.

In his 25-year U.S. Air Force (USAF) career, Johnson served three tours at USSTRATCOM, totaling nine years, including his most recent assignment as USNORTHCOM’s liaison to USSTRATCOM. His previous assignments included nuclear plans and nuclear operations, which constitute a breadth of experiences spanning the full portfolio of the command’s mission objectives and activities.

Aside from his experiences at USSTRATCOM, Johnson served command tours in the Air Force with the 340th Weapons Squadron (B-52), at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, and the 379th Operations Group, at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. A decorated command pilot, Johnson has logged 2,934 flight hours — including 307 hours in combat — across the B-52, KC-135, RC-135, C-21 and C-130 airframes.

He received his commission from the USAF Academy in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in mathematics. He attended the Euro-Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training program and was an outstanding graduate of the USAF Weapons School. He also holds a master of aviation science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and completed Air War College as the Air Force’s Senior Fellow in the National Technical Laboratories Program, performing duties at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal and various personal, campaign and unit awards.

He and his wife, Lindsey, reside in Papillion, Nebraska with their son and daughter.