Col. Eric J. Bernkopf III is the Commander, 655th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. As the Commander, Colonel Bernkopf is responsible for the command and control of seven intelligence squadrons across four states. He ensures the training, readiness, and operational engagement for more than 530 Air Force Reserve Airmen engaged in highly technical and complex ISR mission sets.
Colonel Bernkopf entered the U.S Air Force in 2002 as a Top Graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. After graduating the Air Force Intelligence Officer Course as a Distinguished Graduate, he served in Air Force Special Operations Command as the Deputy Chief of Intelligence in the 6th Special Operations Squadron and Chief of Intelligence in the 3rd SOS. In 2008, Colonel Bernkopf transitioned from Active Duty to the Air Reserve Component. As a reserve officer, he served as the Individual Mobilization Augmentee to Air Force Special Operations Command’s Chief of ISR Forces and to Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center’s Director of Intelligence. Prior to his current assignment, he was the Deputy Commander for both the 755th and 655th ISR Groups.
Colonel 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, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2006 Master of Arts, International Relations, University of Oklahoma, Norman
2010 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2014 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 Joint and Combined Warfighting School-Hybrid, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
2018 Air War College, by correspondence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Sep 2002 – Apr 2003, Student, Intelligence Officer Course, Goodfellow AFB, Texas
2. Apr 2003 – Mar 2006, Deputy Chief of Intelligence, 6th SOS, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
3. Mar 2006 – Jun 2008, Chief of Intelligence, 3rd SOS, Nellis AFB, Nev.
4. Jun 2008 – Oct 2010, IMA, Deputy Chief of ISR Forces, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
5. Oct 2010 – Apr 2013, IMA, Chief of ISR Forces, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
6. Apr 2013 – Oct 2013, IMA, Director of Intelligence, Air Force Special Operations Warfare Center, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
7. Oct 2013 – Mar 2015, Flight Commander, 71st Intelligence Squadron, WPAFB, Ohio
8. Mar 2015 – May 2016, Chief of Current Operations, 655th ISRG, WPAFB, Ohio
9. May 2016 – Sep 2017, Director of Operations, 71st Intelligence Squadron, WPAFB, Ohio
10. Sep 2017 – Sep 2019, Commander, 71st IS, WPAFB, Ohio
11. Sep 2019 – Jan 2021, Deputy Commander, 755th ISRG, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
12. Jan 2021 – Mar 2023, Deputy Commander, 655th ISRG, WPAFB, Ohio
13. Mar 2023 – Present, Commander, 655th ISRG, WPAFB, Ohio
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Gallant Unit Citation
Air Force 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 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 'M' Device
(Current as of September 2023)