Major General
John F. Goodman


Duties Commanding General, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing


Major General Goodman is the Commanding General of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. A graduate of Arizona State University, Major General Goodman began his military service in 1967 with the U.S. Army. His first combat tour was in the Republic of Vietnam as a member of a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) team. He transferred to the inactive Army Reserve in 1969 and played professional football for the New Orleans Saints prior to entering the U.S. Marine Corps in 1971.

Following commissioning, Major General Goodman received his wings in May 1973 at NAS Meridian, Mississippi, and was assigned to MCAS Yuma, Arizona, where he completed A-4 flight training. During his tenure in Yuma he served in numerous squadron billets to include LSO, flight instructor, and weapons and tactics instructor. He also served as a Forward Air Controller at 3d BN 6th Marines, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejuene, North Carolina; and he graduated from the Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructor School, the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School, and the U.S. Navy TOPGUN Adversary Course. In 1979 he transferred to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1 (MAWTS-1) as an instructor and the A-4 Department Head. After graduating with honors from Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Major General Goodman reported to MCAS El Toro, California, where he served as the Operations Officer with the "Blacksheep" of VMA-214 and later as the Director of Safety, Standardization and Tactics, MAG-11.

After a 1985-86 tour on Okinawa as the Assistant Division Air Officer, 3d Marine Division, Major General Goodman returned to MCAS El Toro, California, following F/A18 conversion training. After serving as the Executive Officer of the VMFA-531 "Grey Ghosts," the Assistant Group Operations Officer, MCCRTG-10, and the Group Operations Officer, MAG-11, he assumed command of the "Grey Ghosts" of VMFA-531 on 28 October 1988 in a ceremony at "Ghost Town." In June 1990 Major General Goodman transferred to Quantico, Virginia, as a member of the first class of the Marine Corps' War College (MCWAR). During the academic year he joined the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Kuwaiti Theater of Operations, as I MEF's Air Plans Officer. Following cessation of hostilities, he completed War College and was assigned as the Director of the School of Advanced Warfighting. In July 1993 Major General Goodman took command of Marine Aircraft Group 41, NAS Dallas, Texas. Completing his tour he returned to Quantico as the Deputy Director of the MAGTF Staff Training Program. Promoted to Brigadier General May 1997, he assumed the position of Director, Strategy, Policy and Plans (J5) of USSOUTHCOM in June 1997. In May 1998 he assumed the duties of Chief of Staff USSOUTHCOM. In July 1999 he returned to Quantico as the Director, Warfighting Development Integration Division. Major General Goodman was frocked to his present rank on June 2001 and took command of the 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade on 6 July 2001. On 5 Aug 2002, Major General Goodman assumed command of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

Major General Goodman has logged more than 4100 hours in tactical jet aircraft. His decorations and medals include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit w/gold star, Bronze Star with Combat V, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal.