Ex-Officio Member Col. Erik Herrmann

Colonel Herrmann graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May 2000, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant. Following graduation from The Basic School in January 2001, he underwent Naval Flight Officer training at NAS Pensacola, earning designation as a Naval Flight Officer in June 2002. His career progressed with assignment to Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA, where he completed EA-6B Prowler training in November 2003. He subsequently served with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 (VMAQ-3) at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC, fulfilling roles including Legal Officer, Awards Officer, S-1 Officer, Aircraft Division Officer, and Quality Assurance Division Officer. During this tenure, Captain Herrmann deployed twice between 2005 and 2007 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and completed the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course in spring 2006.

In June 2007, Captain Herrmann attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, where he earned a Master of Business Administration (Financial Management) degree and Certification as a Defense Financial Manager (CDFM). His subsequent assignment in January 2009 was to the United States Naval Academy, serving as Financial Manager of the Humanities and Social Sciences Division and as a military faculty member in the Economics Department.

Transitioning to MAWTS-1 in February 2012 as an EA-6B instructor, Major Herrmann assumed duties as EA-6B Division Head from June 2012 to November 2014. Returning to VMAQ-3 at MCAS Cherry Point, NC, he served as Operations Officer, deploying on a Unit Deployment Program to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. In June 2016, Major Herrmann became VMAQ-3 Executive Officer, deploying to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

From January 2018 to May 2019, Lieutenant Colonel Herrmann returned to MAWTS-1 to serve as Executive Officer before assuming command at Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron Three (MWHS-3), 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS Miramar, CA. During his command, he qualified as a co-pilot/qualified observer in the UC-12W King Air 350 with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Camp Pendleton. Relinquishing command in June 2021, Lieutenant Colonel Herrmann was reassigned as the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing Inspector General.

From May 2022 to June 2024, Colonel Herrmann served as Aviation Colonels Monitor, Manpower Management, Manpower and Reserve Affairs at Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA. In this capacity, he oversaw the assignments of over 7,000 officers across various aviation-related military occupational specialties and directly managed assignments for over 700 Colonels. Colonel Herrmann was assigned back to California to be the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in July 2024.

Colonel Herrmann has accumulated over 2,400 flight hours in the EA-6B Prowler. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with three Gold Stars, Air Medal-Strike/Flight with Numeral 15, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star, and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal.