Colonel Eric A. Guttormsen is the 108th Wing Commander, New Jersey Air National Guard, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ. The federal mission of the 108th is to provide rapid global airpower to support both Air Mobility Command and Air Force Special Operations Command. Furthermore, the Wing deploys expeditionary forces in support of worldwide combat, contingency, and humanitarian efforts. The state mission is to support the Governor of New Jersey in disaster or domestic emergency response situations. In addition to operating 9 KC-135 and 2 C-32b aircraft, the Wing has a cyberspace operation and intelligence mission. The KC-135R performs air refueling, airlift and aero-medical evacuation missions supporting U.S. and coalition contingency operations and the U.S. Strategic Command’s Nuclear Deterrence mission. The C-32B provides dedicated rapid response airlift to the Department of Defense in support of United States Government crisis response events abroad and domestically. The 108th Wing, with more than 1,200 members, is an Air National Guard unit and a reserve component of the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command.
Colonel Guttormsen earned his commission from the Unites States Military Academy at West Point in 1995. Upon completion of the Army Aviation Officer Basic Course and Initial Entry Rotary Wing training, he was assigned to the AH-1F Aircraft Qualification Course with a follow on assignment to the 25th Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Wheeler Army Airfield, HI. While there, he served as a platoon leader and troop commander in 3-4 Cavalry Squadron, attack platoon leader in 1-25 Attack Battalion and Aviation Brigade Class III/V Support Platoon Leader. He attended the Military Intelligence Officer Transition Course, Captain’s Career Course and the Combined Arms and Services Staff School in 1999-2000. His Active Army career concluded in 2002 after leading the Opposing Forces Aviation Platoon at the National Training Center in Ft. Irwin, CA for two years.
He joined the New Jersey Air National Guard in 2002, and served as a drill status guardsman and eventual KC-135 instructor/evaluator pilot after attending training in the T-37, T-1 and KC-135, becoming a full-time technician in 2012. He also attended the Air Reserve Component Chief of Safety and Air Force Aircraft Mishap Investigation courses. While serving as a traditional guardsman, he spent 9 years supporting the Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications – Tactical at Ft. Monmouth, NJ. Colonel Guttormsen has served in multiple crew, staff and leadership positions in support of IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, UNIFED PROTECTOR, INHERENT RESOLVE and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL. Prior to assuming his current position, Colonel Guttormsen served as Commander, 108th Operations Group.
Colonel Guttormsen has amassed over 4,300 flying hours in the TH-67, UH-1, AH-1, T-37, T-1, KC-135E/R/T, and C-32.
EDUCATION
1995 Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management, US Military Academy, West Point, NY
2000 Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Ft. Leavenworth, KS, Residence
2008 Defense Advanced Acquisition Course, Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, CA
2011 Air Command and Staff College, Non-Residence
2014 Air Reserve Component Chief of Safety & Air Force Aircraft Mishap Investigation Courses
2016 Air War College, Non-Residence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Jun 1995 – Jun 1996, Student, Initial Entry Rotary Wing, Ft. Rucker, AL
2. Jun 1996 – Aug 1996, AH-1F Cobra Aircraft Qualification Course, Ft. Rucker, AL
3. Sep 1996 – Aug 1997, 3-4 Cavalry Squadron, Wheeler AAF, HI
4. Sep 1997 – Aug 1998, 1-25 Attack Battalion, Wheeler AAF, HI
5. Sep 1998 – Aug 1999, 25th Aviation Brigade Support Platoon Leader (Class III/V), Wheeler AAF, HI
6. Sep 1999 – Mar 2000, Military Intelligence Officer Advanced Course, Ft. Huachuca, AZ
7. Apr 2000 – Jun 2000, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Ft. Leavenworth, KS
8. Jul 2000 – Jun 2002, National Training Center Aviation Company, Ft. Irwin, CA
9. Mar 2003 – Apr 2004, Student T-37/T-1, Laughlin AFB, TX
10. Apr 2004 – Aug 2004, KC-135 Copilot Initial Qualification Course, Altus AFB, OK
11. Sep 2004 – Aug 2008, 150th Air Refueling Squadron, 108th Air Refueling Wing, McGuire AFB, NJ
12. Aug 2008 – Mar 2014, 141st Air Refueling Squadron, 108th Wing, JBMDL, NJ
13. Apr 2012 – May 2012, Asst Operations Dir, 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, CENTCOM
14. Jun 2015 – Aug 2015, Operations Dir, 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, CENTCOM
15. Mar 2014 – Apr 2017, 108th Operations Support Squadron, 108th Wing, JBMDL, NJ
16. Apr 2017 – May 2022, Commander, 108th Operations Group, 108th Wing, JBMDL, NJ
17. Jun 2022 - Present, Commander 108th Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Total Flight Hours: More than 4,300
Military Aircraft Flown: KC-135E/R/T, C32, T-1, T-37, AH-1F/P, UH-1H, TH-67
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters
Army Achievement Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air and Space Campaign Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Army Overseas Ribbon
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with two oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with ‘M’ device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
(Current as of June 2022)