Chief Master Sergeant Eric Erler is the State Command Chief Master Sergeant for the Oklahoma Air National Guard. He is responsible for advising commanders and staff on all matters affecting readiness, training, utilization, professional development, health, morale and welfare for approximately 2,500 Airmen of the State. As the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the state, he works to provide a cohesive enlisted force and to mentor, educate and grow Airmen at all levels. He leads by example daily to inspire and sustain a culture of team spirit, inclusion and equity, professionalism, and integrity.
CMSgt Erler entered the Air Force in February 1987. He completed basic training and technical school in November of that year. He has been a full-time member of the 138 Fighter Wing since December 1989. Chief Erler was selected as the 138 Maintenance Squadron First Sergeant in December of 1999 and in 2002 was named First Sergeant of the Year for the 138th Fighter Wing and the State of Oklahoma. In 2005, he was chosen as an augmentee for the Air Combat Command Inspector General team where he utilized his technical expertise and experience during the performance of multiple Operation Readiness Inspections. Chief Erler served as 138th Maintenance Group Quality Assurance
Superintendent and SEL where he expertly managed the maintenance quality effort on the F-16. Chief Erler served as a key advisor to the Maintenance Group Commander meticulously monitoring all personnel actions, ensuring worldwide readiness. Prior to his current position, Chief Erler was Senior Enlisted Leader for the 138th Fighter Wing.
Education:
1987 Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
1987 Tactical Aircraft Maintenance technical School, Shepard AFB, Texas
1990 Noncommissioned Office Prep, correspondence course
1999 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, correspondence
2000 USAF First Sergeant academy, Maxwell AFB
2006 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, correspondence course
2017 Associate’s degree, Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Community College of the Air Force
2020 Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course, Class 20-3, National Guard Bureau
2024 Command Chief Master Sergeant Training Course, San Antonio, Texas
Assignments:
1.July 1987-September 1987, Trainee, 3707 Basic Military Training Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. September 1987-November 1987, Student, Student Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
3. November 1987-December 1989, Crew Chief, Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Tulsa, Oklahoma
4. December 1989-May 1989, Inspection Section, Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 138th Fighter Wing, Tulsa, Okla
5. May 1989-November 1999, Crew Chief, Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 138 FW, Tulsa, Okla (October 1996-December 1996, Crew Chief, Operation PROVIDE COMFORT II, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey) (February 1998-March 1998, Crew Chief, Operation NORTHERN WATCH, 125th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Incirlik AB, Turkey) (September 1999-October 1999, Crew Chief, Operation NORTHERN WATCH, 125 EFS, Incirlik AB, Turkey)
6. November 1999-December 2002, First Sergeant, Maintenance Squadron, 138 FW, Tulsa, Okla (February 2000-March 2000, Crew Chief, Operation NORTHERN WATCH, 125EFS, Incirlik AB, Turkey) (August 2001-September 2001, Flight Chief, Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, 125EFS, Al Jabar AB, Kuwait) (September 2002-November 2002, First Sergeant, Operation NORTHERN WATCH, 125EFS, Incirlik AB, Turkey)
7. December 2002-May 2004, Crew Chief, Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 138 FW, Tulsa, Okla
8. May 2004-January 2015, Flight Chief, Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 138 FW, Tulsa, Okla (May 2005-July 2005, Flight Chief, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, 125EFS, Al Udeid AB, Qatar) (June 2007-September 2007, Flight Chief, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, 125EFS, Balad AB, Iraq) (September 2008-November 2008, Flight Chief, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, 125EFS, Balad AB, Iraq) (September 2013-November 2013, Flight Chief, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, 125EFS, Kandahar AB, Afghanistan)
9. January 2015-July 2018, Production Superintendent, Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 138 FW, Tulsa, Okla (September 2015-January 2016, Production Superintendent, Theatre Support Package, 125EFS, Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan) (April 2018-July 2018, Production Superintendent, Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Operation FREEDOMS SENTINEL, 125EFS, Bagram AB, Afghanistan)
10. July 2018-January 2023, Quality Assurance Superintendent, Maintenance Group, 138 FW, Tulsa, Okla
11. January 2023-June 2023, Traffic Management Superintendent, Logistics Readiness Squadron, 138 FW, Tulsa, Okla
12. June 2023-March 2024, Senior Enlisted Leader, Logistics Readiness Squadron, 138 FW, Tulsa, Okla
13. March 2024-June 2026, Wing Command Chief, 138 FW, Tulsa, Okla
14. June 2026 - Present, State Command Chief, Joint Force Headquarters, Oklahoma Air National Guard, Oklahoma City, Okla
Major Awards and Decorations:
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster and combat “C” device Air and Space Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with nine oak leaf clusters Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze stars Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Gold Hourglass and three “M” devices NATO Medal with bronze star
Louisiana Emergency Service Medal
Other Achievements:
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster and combat “C” device Air and Space Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with nine oak leaf clusters Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze stars Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Gold Hourglass and three “M” devices NATO Medal with bronze star
Louisiana Emergency Service Medal
Professional Memberships and Affiliations:
National Guard Association of Oklahoma National Guard Association United States 138th Fighter Wing Diversity Council
Air Force First Sergeants Association Diamond Club 138th Fighter Wing Chiefs Council
Effective Date of Promotion:Senior Airman May 1, 1989
Sergeant April 3, 1990
Staff Sergeant February 15, 1992
Technical Sergeant October 2, 1997
Master Sergeant December 10, 1999
Senior Master Sergeant September 1, 2006
Chief Master Sergeant September 1, 2018
(CURRENT AS OF JUNE 2026)