Tracy D Johnson became the highest ranking Army aviator in aircraft production when he was promoted from major to lieutenant colonel at the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD), 29 October 2015.
The ceremony and reception took place on Corpus Christi's Bluff Landing Marina at the Laguna Reef Restaurant that Thursday at 4 p.m.
Depot commander, Colonel Garner Pogue hosted the event, which was well-attended by Johnson's colleagues, old military comrades, family, and friends. The colonel assisted with the ceremony, officially promoting Johnson from a major to the rank of lieutenant colonel.
The official orders, as recited by Col. Pogue, read:
"The President of the United States has reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and abilities of Maj. Tracy D. Johnson.
"In view of these qualities and their demonstrated potential for increased responsibility, he is, therefore, promoted to lieutenant colonel."
The Secretary of the Army of the United States submitted Official Order 275-002, with Tracy Johnson's name on it, on October 2, 2015.
Lt. Col. Johnson is a division chief for CCAD's Aviation Support Branch. His mission includes the physical distribution of all helicopters arriving and departing the depot.
He would be the first to tell you that being a division chief at the depot is no desk job. One of his main responsibilities is prepping aircraft and flight crews for flight tests, which means his desk is often the cockpit of a freshly-assembled helicopter.
While the other 4000+ CCAD employees repair and modify helicopters for the next Army mission, he's the one who makes sure each aircraft can fly good and true.
Promotion or not, one thing is for certain: when Johnson is testing CCAD aircraft, he has the best view in town.
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