Ashley Johnson assumed duties as the new technical director for Naval Surface Warfare

Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NSWC IHEODTD) today.

In his previous assignment, Johnson served as the Acting Department Head and Director, Hybrid Complex

Warfare Science Division for the Office of Naval Research. He was responsible for leading, managing, directing

and integrating an extensive $200 million Science and Technology program consisting of basic research,

applied research and advanced technology development, as well as efforts in a wide range of technical

disciplines and warfare areas.

As NSWC IHEODTD Technical Director, Johnson will direct more than 1,700 employees, operating in five,

nation-wide locations with annual operations of more than $1 billion. Indian Head EOD Technology Division is

charged with leading the Department of Navy in providing energetics, ordnance and EOD technical capabilities

for all Department of Defense interests through engineering, manufacturing, industrial base support, research,

development, documentation, testing and evaluation.

Johnson expressed his excitement to return to the command, where he served from August 1987 to May 2001

within the Ordnance Department and Surface Weapons and Ammunition Program Office.

“What a great opportunity to be a part of the NSWC IHEODTD mission,” said Johnson. “As energetics,

ordnance and explosive ordnance disposal technology leaders, our mission impacts the Department of

Defense as a whole. Providing our warfighters with unique capabilities and technical superiority is our primary

focus. Our current challenge is to maintain the personnel, expertise, and facilities to do so.”

Johnson completed his undergraduate studies in 1987 and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical

Engineering from the University of Rochester; Rochester, N.Y. He graduated from the Industrial College of the

Armed Forces in 2008 as the Commandant’s Distinguished Graduate and has a Master’s of Science in National

Resource Strategy.

NSWC IHEODTD – a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command and part of the Navy’s Science and

Engineering Enterprise – is a leader in ordnance, energetics, and EOD solutions. The Division focuses on

energetics research, development, testing, evaluation, in-service support, and disposal; and provides

warfighters solutions to detect, locate, access, identify, render safe, recover, exploit, and dispose of explosive

ordnance threats.