Colonel Eric J. Bernkopf III

Colonel (Col) Eric Bernkopf is the Deputy Commander, 655th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He oversees the readiness, training, mission execution, and resource allocation of seven intelligence squadrons consisting of over 570 Airmen across four separate locations.

About

Col Bernkopf entered the U.S Air Force in 2002, as a Top Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. After graduating the Air Force Intelligence Officer Course as a Distinguished Graduate, he served in Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) as the Deputy Chief of Intelligence in the 6th Special Operations Squadron and Chief of Intelligence in the 3rd Special Operations Squadron. In 2008, Col Bernkopf transitioned from Active Duty to Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC). As a reserve officer, he served as the Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) to Air Force Special Operations Command’s Chief of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Forces and the IMA to Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center’s Director of Intelligence. Additionally, he served as a Flight Commander, Director of Operations, and Commander of the 71st Intelligence Squadron, as well as the Chief of Current Operations in the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group. Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Deputy Commander of the 755th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group.

Col Bernkopf has participated in multiple overseas contingency operations to include supporting special operations engagements as a Combat Aviation Advisor deployed to Colombia, Chad, Nigeria, and Niger. Additionally, he deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.  

Education

  • 2002: Bachelor of Science Geography, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
  • 2006: Master of Arts, International Relations, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK. 
  • 2010: Squadron Officer School (SOS), by correspondence, Maxwell AFB, AL. 
  • 2014: Air Command and Staff College (ACSC), by correspondence, Maxwell AFB, AL.
  • 2016: Joint and Combined Warfighting School (JCWS) – Hybrid, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA.
  • 2018: Air War College (AWC), by correspondence, Maxwell AFB, AL. 

Assignments

  • Sep 2002 – Apr 2003: Student, Intelligence Officer Course, Goodfellow AFB, TX 
  • Apr 2003 – Mar 2006: Deputy Chief of Intelligence, 6th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL 
  • Mar 2006 – Jun 2008: Chief of Intelligence, 3rd Special Operations Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV 
  • Jun 2008 – Oct 2010: IMA, Deputy Chief of ISR Forces, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, FL 
  • Oct 2010 – Apr 2013: IMA, Chief of ISR Forces, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, FL
  • Apr 2013 – Oct 2013: IMA, Director of Intelligence, Air Force Special Operations Warfare Center, Hurlburt Field, FL
  • Oct 2013 – Mar 2015: Flight Commander, 71st Intelligence Squadron, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH
  • Mar 2015 – May 2016: Chief of Current Operations, 655th Intelligence, Surveillance, & Reconnaissance Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH
  • May 2016 – Sep 2017: Director of Operations, 71st Intelligence Squadron, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH  
  • Sep 2017 – Sep 2019: Commander, 71st Intelligence Squadron, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH
  • Sep 2019 – Jan 2021: Deputy Commander, 755th Intelligence, Surveillance, & Reconnaissance Group, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA

Major Awards and Decorations

  • Defense Meritorious Service Medal
  • Meritorious Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters)
  • Air Force Commendation Medal (with one oak leaf cluster)
  • Joint Service Achievement Medal
  • Air Force Achievement Medal
  • Gallant Unit Citation
  • AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (with three oak leaf clusters)
  • Combat Readiness Medal
  • Air Force Recognition Medal
  • National Defense Service Medal
  • Iraq Campaign Medal (with one campaign star)
  • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  • Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
  • Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with one ‘M’ Device)

Effective Dates of Promotion

Second Lieutenant29 May 2002
First Lieutenant29 May 2004
Captain29 May 2006
Major29 May 2011
Lieutenant Colonel13 Sept 2016
Colonel05 Aug 2022

Effective Dates of Promotion

Second Lieutenant29 May 2002
First Lieutenant29 May 2004
Captain29 May 2006
Major29 May 2011
Lieutenant Colonel13 Sept 2016
Colonel05 Aug 2022