Col. Erik J. Fiederer is the Deputy Commander of the 413th Flight Test Group, U.S. Air Force Reserve, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. He assists the Commander in providing qualified aircrew and associated support personnel to conduct functional and acceptance check flights on non-airworthy aircraft upon completion of depot-level maintenance and to recover battle-damaged aircraft from abroad. Comprised of seven geographically separated units which fly sixteen distinct mission design series aircraft, the goal of the 413th FTG is returning mission-ready aircraft to the war fighter.
Col. Fiederer received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1998. He completed pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. Following F-16 qualification at Luke AFB, Ariz., he flew the F-16C and F-16CM at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, and Hill AFB, Utah. Col. Fiederer spent four years instructing Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals in the T-38C at Moody AFB, Ga., and Columbus AFB, Miss., before returning to the F-16CM at Hill AFB. He transitioned to the Air Force Reserve in 2012 and later served as the Deputy Division Chief of Plans and Programming for the Air Force Reserve at the Pentagon.
Col. Fiederer is a command pilot with more than 3,100 hours. He has served on four combat and security deployments in both the F-16 and F-35A and has 309 combat hours.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, United States Air Force Academy
2004 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2008 Master of Arts, Aviation Sciences, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, by correspondence
2010 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2019 Reserve Component National Security Course, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
2020 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 1998–December 1999, Student Pilot, 47th Flying Training Wing, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas
2. December 1999–March 2000, IFF Student Pilot, 435th Fighter Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, Texas
2. March 2000–November 2000, F-16 Student Pilot, 309th Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB, Ariz.
3. November 2000–November 2001, Chief of Scheduling, 80th FS, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea
4. November 2001–May 2005, Flight Commander, 34th FS, Hill AFB, Utah
5. May 2005–January 2007, Assistant Director of Operations, 49th FTS, Moody AFB, Ga.
6. January 2007–January 2009, Assistant Director of Operations, 49th FTS, Columbus AFB, Miss.
7. January 2009–May 2012, Director of Staff, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill AFB, Utah
8. June 2012–August 2016, Director of Operations, 466th FS, Hill AFB, Utah
9. August 2016–July 2018, Deputy Division Chief of Reserve Plans and Programming, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
10. August 2018–October 2020, Commander, 419th Operations Support Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
11. October 2020-December 2021, Special Assistant to the Commander, 419th Operations Group, Hill AFB, Utah
12. December 2021–July 2023, Commander, 419th Operations Group, Hill AFB, Utah
13. August 2023–Present, Deputy Commander, 413th Flight Test Group, Robins AFB, Georgia
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal with four oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with device
Iraq Campaign Medal with device
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korea Defense Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
Air Force Longevity Service with four oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 2 devices
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (pistol)
Air Force Training Ribbon
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command pilot
Flight hours: More than 3,200
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, AT-38B, F-16C, F-16CG, T-38C, F-16CM and F-35A
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 27, 1998
First Lieutenant May 27, 2000
Captain May 27, 2002
Major Nov. 1, 2007
Lieutenant Colonel Nov. 1, 2014
Colonel Dec. 1, 2021
(Current as of Mar 2024)