Former PA director visits Elmendorf, speaks at AF Ball

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ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The former Director of Public Affairs for the Secretary of the Air Force visited Elmendorf AFB to speak at the 2008 Air Force Ball Sept. 26. 

During her trip to Elmendorf, Brig. Gen. Michelle Johnson visited several organizations speaking on various topics from her 27-years of Air Force experience. 

Currently, the Deputy Director for Global Effects and the War on Terrorism, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate at the Pentagon, she's able to draw on a number of varied assignments and positions held when talking to Airmen. 

"As a general officer, you learn about what's really required to get something done," she said. "So when a three- or a four-star general says 'do x', you'll have some sense of what that really means and what the impact is." 

General Johnson is one of only 61 female officers to attain the rank of general officer in the Air Force. She advises Airmen to try to anticipate what needs to be done and what commanders will need to know. 

"As good as you are and as good as your leadership is, they're probably not going to hunt you down to ask what you think," the general added. 

She also served as an aide to former presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and has commanded a deployed air refueling squadron during Operation Southern Watch and an air refueling wing in support of operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. 

As we transition and explore different missions, such as cyber command, the general reminds us to be proud and stand tall. 

"You should be really proud to be in the Air Force. These are tough times and now more than ever we have to keep our heads up," she said. "We have to learn the right lessons and hang together, whether it's all the Air Force specialties or the total force initiative in this wing."