Flight Lieutenant Steve Johnson, Weapon System Officer (Navigator)
Flt Lt Steve Johnson, 38, from Collingham, Notts, was a highly intelligent individual and a very capable navigator. His focus was always to ensure that he carried out his duties in the most professional manner possible. Having served on all the Kinloss squadrons, Steve's professional ability, coupled with his dry sense of humour and positive attitude, was well known to everyone. On his return from operations in the Middle East, he was to be awarded the ultimate accolade of appointment to crew captaincy.
Away from work, Steve lived in an idyllic cottage in the Scottish countryside where he was a dedicated father to Victoria and Charlotte and a loving husband to Jan. Steve will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Shortly after the incident RAF Kinloss Station Commander Group Captain Chris Birks said:
"I am very deeply saddened about the deaths of twelve air crew from Royal Air Force Kinloss in a Nimrod accident over Afghanistan. All twelve were from Number 120 Squadron based here at Kinloss. All were long serving and experienced air crew and were known to me personally.
"As well as first class personnel these were colleagues and friends of myself and my other personnel. The station is in mourning. The main priority now is to provide support for the families of those lost, their friends and colleagues. Our thoughts and prayers are with them."
Officer Commanding 120 Squadron, based at RAF Kinloss, Wing Commander Martin Cannard added:
"120 Squadron has suffered a profound loss. We have lost good friends and colleagues, many known personally to us over many years. I have been humbled by the commitment and determination of all of my people to do all that they can for those that have lost loved ones and friends and this will be our sole focus in the coming days."