BRIGADIER GENERAL ERIK A. PETERSON
Brig. Gen. Erik A. Peterson is the Chief of Staff-Air with the Wisconsin Air National Guard. In this role he serves as the senior ranking officer for the Headquarters Air Staff and principal advisor to the deputy adjutant general for Air regarding administration, operation, training, tactical employment, maintenance and supply of the 115th Fighter Wing in Madison, Wisconsin, the 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee, Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center, and the 128th Air Control Squadron based at Volk Field.General Peterson earned his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 1991. His career began with pilot training, followed by working as a maintenance officer and flying duties at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. He then became an instructor and evaluator pilot for the 18th Fighter Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska and the 34th Fighter Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah. Brig Gen Peterson’s previous commands include the 332nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Joint Base Balad, Iraq, 176th Fighter Squadron, 115th Fighter Wing Operations Group and 115th Fighter Wing Maintenance Group. Prior to his current position, he was the Commander of the 115th Fighter Wing, Truax Field, Madison, Wisconsin.
EDUCATION
1991 Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
1995 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2000 Master of Science degree in aeronautical and aviation technology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
2003 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2008 Air War College, by correspondence
2013 Advanced Joint Professional Military Education - Reserve Component, Joint Forces Staff College, National Defense University, Norfolk, Va.
2014 Joint Domestic Operations Course, by correspondence
2021 Regional Seminar - Latin America, Alan L. Freed Associates, Washington D. C.
2022 Senior Leader Orientation Course (SLOC), Joint Base Andrews, Md.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1991 - October 1992, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, 97th Flying Training Squadron, Williams Air Force Base, Ariz.
2. October 1992 - May 1993, Armament Flight Commander, 58th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
3. May 1993 - June 1994, Assistant Squadron Maintenance Officer, 310th Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
4. June 1994 - March 1996, Student, United States Air Force F-16 Basic Operational Training Course, Luke AFB, Ariz.
5. March 1996 - March 1999, F-16 pilot, Training Officer, Scheduling Officer, and Flight Safety Officer, 18th Fighter Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
6. March 1999 - February 2001, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Evaluator Pilot, Standardization and Evaluation Officer, Flight Commander, 34th Fighter Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
7. February 2001 - August 2002, F-16 Pilot, 176th Fighter Squadron, Wisconsin Air National Guard, Truax Field, Wis.
8. September 2002 - January 2004, Weapons and Tactics Officer, 115th Operations Support Flight, WI ANG, Truax Field, Wis.
9. January 2004 - January 2005, F-16 Pilot, Assistant Operations Officer, 176th Fighter Squadron, WI ANG, Truax Field, Wis.
10. January 2005 - August 2008, Director of Operations, 176th Fighter Squadron, WI ANG, Truax Field, Wis.
11. August 2008 - August 2010, Commander, 176th Fighter Squadron, WI ANG, Truax Field, Wis. (September 2009 - November 2009, 332nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Balad, Iraq)
12. August 2010 - August 2012, Commander, 115th Operations Group, WI ANG, Truax Field, Wis.
13. August 2012 - August 2013, Commander, 115th Maintenance Group, WI ANG, Truax Field, Wis.
14. August 2013 - August 2016, Vice Commander, 115th Fighter Wing, WI ANG, Truax Field, Wis.
15. August 2020 - September 2020, Commander, 115th Wing, Madison, WI
16. September 2020 - Present, Chief of Staff, Madison, Wis.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 2,800
Aircraft flown: AT-38B, F-16C/D, T-37B and T-38B
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 29, 1991
First Lieutenant May 29, 1993
Captain May 29, 1995
Major July 12, 2001
Lieutenant Colonel Feb. 4, 2007
Colonel March 2, 2011
Brigadier General Aug. 17, 2020
(Current as of May 2022)
