From childhood John was interested in space and flying. He joined the US Air Force to be a pilot and got his wish. He flew C-130 Hercules "trash haulers" throughout the Pacific and supported the final evacuations of Cambodia and Vietnam. He was also a C-130 instructor and evaluator pilot for tactical low level air drops and short field operations.

From flying John transitioned to space. He had a key role in 43 launches of the Air Force Titan IV, Titan III, Atlas II, and Delta II launch systems at both Vandenberg and Cape Canaveral Air Force Bases. He led teams in support of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Reconnaissance Office, and the Department of Defense satellite missions supporting national security and scientific exploration.