CAPT John “Doc” Dougherty IV is a native of Harrisburg, PA and a Class of 1995 graduate from the United States Naval Academy (BS in Political Science with Merit).  He holds Masters of Business of Administration (MBA) and Masters of Systems Engineering (MSSE) degrees, from the Naval Postgraduate School.  He is married to Michelle Dougherty, and has two children, John V and Julia.

After earning his Wings of Gold and completing FRS training at VFA-125, CAPT Dougherty joined Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-147, where he flew combat strike missions in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom.  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 over 300 carrier landings.  Before transitioning to the Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer (AEDO) community in 2006, CAPT Dougherty served on the Combined Forces Command Afghanistan (CFC-A) staff in Kabul as a Strategic Planner.

CAPT Dougherty’s first acquisition tour was at PMA-242 as the Airborne Rockets & Pyrotechnics IPT Lead.  Under his direction, the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) was transferred from the Army to the Navy, designed and tested, resulting in successful AH-1W IOC.  He also developed the Fixed Wing APKWS JCTD strategy, which ultimalely provided needed capability to the AV-8B and F-16.

He then reported to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program Office as the Deputy Director of Development.  In this capacity, he helped guide the program through a successful restructure in 2011 by leading the development of the programs Integrated Master Schedule and resultant Schedule Risk Assessment and Integrated Baseline Review.

In 2012, he reported to the F/A-18, EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265) as the Weapon Systems Integration Lead and Radar IPT Lead.  In these roles, he managed the expansion of Hornet and Growler weapons capabilities and was responsible for all in-service and developmental Radar upgrades.  These efforts directly supported fielding the Navy’s first increment of Integrated Fire Control from the Air.

CAPT Dougherty’s most recent tour was as the Class Desk for the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Program Office (PMA-268).  In this role, he worked with Fleet stakeholders to define requirements and conducted various capability trade studies.  In addition, he is leading the charge to establish the Navy’s Maritime Accelerated Capabilities Office (MACO) to drastically streamline high priority Navy acquisitions.

CAPT Dougherty has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (three), Meritorious Service Medal (two), Air Medal (two), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two) and various other unit awards.