Eric E. Fiel | |
|---|---|
 General Eric E. Fiel in 2011 | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1981–2014 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | Air Force Special Operations Command 58th Special Operations Wing |
| Battles/wars | Operation Deliberate Force Operation Noble Anvil War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
| Awards | Defense Superior Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Medal (4) |
Lieutenant General Eric E. Fiel is a retired United States Air Force officer who served as commander of Air Force Special Operations Command from 2011 to 2014. The command is the Air Force component of United States Special Operations Command. AFSOC provides Air Force special operations forces for worldwide deployment and assignment to unified combatant commanders. The command has approximately 16,000 active-duty, Reserve, Air National Guard and civilian professionals.
Fiel entered the United States Air Force in 1981 as a graduate of Officer Training School. He has held a variety of assignments and has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels. Additionally, he has held a variety of staff positions at major command, unified command, Air Staff and Secretary of the Air Force levels. Prior to his current assignment, he was the Vice Commander, Headquarters United States Special Operations Command, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
Fiel has significant experience in combat and leadership positions in major joint contingency operations. He commanded a special operations squadron during Operation Deliberate Force in Bosnia and Operation Noble Anvil in Kosovo operations. From September 2001 to March 2003, he was forward-deployed as the Joint Special Operations Air Component commander in Operation Enduring Freedom. From May 2006 to April 2008, he was forward-deployed as a task force commander multiple times for operations Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. On January 26, 2011, Fiel was nominated by the Pentagon to replace Donald Wurster as the commander of Air Force Special Operations Command.[1]
On June 24, 2011, Fiel took over Air Force Special Operations Command from General Donald C. Wurster in a ceremony held at Hurlburt Field. “Lt. Gen. Wurster has been a brilliant and strong leader,” said Adm. Eric Olson, commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command. “He led by always putting people first in the air and on the ground. Today is more than a transfer of authority. We say goodbye to a great leader and friend. “Gen. Fiel will now bring his own vision,” Olson added. “There will be challenges, but I've seen him face challenges before and overcome many obstacles. In the transition from one commander to another, I know (AFSOC) will continue to excel.” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presided over the ceremony.[2][3]
After Fiel assumed command he initiated a re-assessment of AFSOCs combat priorities. As a result, various changes were instituted, including a re-missioning of the MC-130W as the AC-130W gunship for increased capabilities in precision airstrike support, the 24th Special Operations Wing was stood up composed entirely of Special Tactics Squadrons as well as their training squadron.[4] The Special Tactics Squadrons are made up of Special Tactics Officers, Combat Controllers, Combat Rescue Officers, Pararescuemen, Special Operations Weather Officers and Airmen, Air Liaison Officers, Tactical Air Control Party operators, and a number of combat support airmen which comprise 58 Air Force specialties.[5]
 
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Master Navigator Badge |
Second Lieutenant July 15, 1981
First Lieutenant July 15, 1983
Captain July 15, 1985
Major October 1, 1991
Lieutenant Colonel December 1, 1996
Colonel March 1, 2001
Brigadier General Nov. 2, 2006
Major General Dec. 3, 2009
Lieutenant General June 11, 2010
