Col. Eric Guttormsen is the 108th Wing Commander, New Jersey Air National Guard, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. The 108th Wing’s federal mission is to provide rapid global airpower and cyberspace operations to support Air Mobility, Air Force Special Operations and Air Combat Commands. Furthermore, the Wing deploys expeditionary forces in support of worldwide combat, contingency, and humanitarian efforts. The Wing’s state mission is to support the Governor of New Jersey in disaster or domestic emergency response situations. In addition to operating and maintaining KC-46 aircraft as a classically associated unit, the Wing operates two C-32B aircraft and has cyberspace operations and intelligence missions. 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.
Col. Guttormsen earned his commission from the Unites States Military Academy at West Point in 1995. Upon completion of the Army Aviation Officer Basic Course, he served for seven years as an active duty Army Aviation officer with assignments at the 25th Aviation Brigade, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii and at the National Training Center, Ft. Irwin, Calif.
Col. Guttormsen joined the New Jersey Air National Guard in 2002 and served in a variety of operational and staff positions. He served as a KC-135 instructor/evaluator pilot while assigned within 108th Operations Group, also serving as a Squadron and Group Commander. Colonel Guttormsen has served overseas 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.
Col. Guttormsen has amassed over 4,300 flying hours, including 898 combat hours.
EDUCATION
1995 Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management, US Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.
2000 Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., Residence
2008 Defense Advanced Acquisition Course, Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, Calif.
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
2019 Masters of Business Administration, Rutgers University, N.J.
2022 Director of Mobility Forces Course, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
2023 Director of Mobility Forces, Defense Support of Civilian Authorities/Hurricane Immersion, Scott AFB, Ill.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Jun 1995 – Jun 1996, Student, Initial Entry Rotary Wing, Ft. Rucker, Ala.
2. Jun 1996 – Aug 1996, AH-1F Cobra Aircraft Qualification Course, Ft. Rucker, Ala.
3. Sep 1996 – Aug 1999, 25th Aviation Brigade, Wheeler AAF, Hawaii
4. Sep 1999 – Mar 2000, Military Intelligence Officer Advanced Course, Ft. Huachuca, Ariz.
5. Apr 2000 – Jun 2000, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Ft. Leavenworth, Kan.
6. Jul 2000 – Jun 2002, National Training Center Aviation Company, Ft. Irwin, Calif.
7. Mar 2003 – Apr 2004, Student T-37/T-1, Laughlin AFB, Texas
8. Apr 2004 – Aug 2004, KC-135 Copilot Initial Qualification Course, Altus AFB, Okla.
9. Sep 2004 – Aug 2008, 150th Air Refueling Squadron, 108th Air Refueling Wing, McGuire AFB, N.J.
10. Aug 2008 – Mar 2014, 141st Air Refueling Squadron, 108th Wing, JBMDL, N.J.
11. Mar 2014 – Apr 2017, Commander, 108th Operations Support Squadron, 108th Wing, JBMDL, N.J.
12. Apr 2017 – May 2022, Commander, 108th Operations Group, 108th Wing, JBMDL, N.J.
13. Dec 2018 – Jan 2019, Commander, 506th Expeditionary Aerial Refueling Squadron, Andersen AFB, Guam
14. May 2022 - Present, Commander 108th Wing, JBMDL, N.J.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Total Flight Hours: More than 4,300
Military Aircraft Flown: KC-46, KC-135E/R/T, C-32B, T-1, T-37, AH-1F/P, UH-1H, TH-67
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 3, 1995
First Lieutenant June 3, 1997
Captain July 1, 1999
Major June 24, 2005
Lieutenant Colonel June 24, 2012
Colonel December 2, 2017
(Current as of April 2024)