Rear Adm. John Dougherty, IV, is a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He is a 1995 graduate of the United States Naval Academy with merit.  He holds a Master of Business of Administration (MBA) and a Master of Systems Engineering (MSSE) from the Naval Postgraduate School.

After earning his Wings of Gold and completing Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) training at VFA-125, he joined Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-147, where he flew combat strike missions in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom aboard USS John Stennis (CVN74). He was then assigned as an instructor pilot at VFA-125, where he served as the assistant operations officer and the out-of-control flight phase head. During these tours, he accumulated more than 1,200 flight hours in the F/A-18C and completed over 300 carrier landings.

Before transitioning to the Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer (AEDO) community in 2006, Dougherty served as a strategic planner on the Combined Forces Command Afghanistan (CFC-A) staff in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Dougherty’s acquisition tours include Airborne Rockets and Pyrotechnics Integrated Product Team (IPT) lead for the Direct and Time Sensitive Strike Weapons Program Office (PMA-242); F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program Office Deputy Director of Development; F/A-18EF and EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265) Weapon System Integration & Radar Lead; and Unmanned Carrier Aviation Program Office (PMA-268) Class Desk.

From 2017-2021 he served as program manager for the Precision Strike Weapons Program Office (PMA-201) which encompasses several major air-to-ground weapon programs for naval aviation, including the largest Naval Air Systems Command foreign military sales portfolio.

In 2021, Dougherty served as the first slated program manager for the Navy’s Next Generation Air Dominance Program Office (PMA-230).  

He assumed his current position as commander, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division and chief engineer, Naval Air Systems Command, in August, 2022.

Dougherty’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (three), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Air Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards) and various other unit awards.

Last Updated: 12 October 2022