LIEUTENANT COLONEL ERIC W. HOMMEL

Lieutenant Colonel Eric W. Hommel is the Commander of the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team (Anaba, Afghanistan), Task Force Cyclone, Combined Joint Task Force 82. He is responsible for all International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) led governance, reconstruction and security operations in the Panjshir Valley and for over 100 military (Air Force, Army, and Navy), interagency, and Mujahedeen security force personnel.

Lieutenant Colonel Hommel works in concert with Panjshiri officials, coalition partners, international, non-governmental, Department of State (DoS), USAID and United Nations organizations. He leads over 100 reconstruction efforts in support of the Panjshir Provincial Government and its 300,000 residents.

This interagency unit is the only military presence in the Panjshir Valley and is responsible for coordinating all US counterinsurgency and stability efforts in this storied Afghan province.

Prior to assuming his current duties he was a Congressional Liaison Officer, Air Force Liaison Office located in the Rayburn House Office Building, Washington D.C.

Lieutenant Colonel Hommel is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Historic Preservation in 1992.

He began his military career in 1986 as an enlisted submariner, having served in both the active and reserve Navy for over eight years. He is currently serving as an active-duty reservist (AGR) in the Air Force Reserve.

Lieutenant Colonel Hommel was commissioned as a second lieutenant in January 1995 through Officer Training School. He has served in a variety of capacities including legislative policy & integration, homeland defense/security, executive management, reconstruction & stability operations, policy development & analysis, strategic planning, interagency coordination, legal compliance, program management & evaluation, training, budgeting, command & control, exercise & logistics planning, and protocol.

EDUCATION:

1984 Regents Diploma, Architecture, High School of Art & Design; New York, NY

1992 Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, Historic Preservation, Savannah College of Art & Design; GA

1994 Professional Certification, City and Regional Planning, Ohio State University; Columbus, OH

2001 Squadron Officer School; Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama

2004 Air Command and Staff College, Non-resident program

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. 1986 - 1988, Nuclear submarine qualified Yeoman, USS SUNFISH (SSN-649), Charleston, SC & Norfolk, VA

2. 1988-1994, Navy Reservist, Naval Control of Shipping, Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 14 (Seabees), Submarine dry-dock (ARCO); Brooklyn, NY, Savannah, GA & Columbus, OH

3. October 1994 – January 1995, Student, Officer Training School; Maxwell AFB, AL

4. April 1995 – March 1998, Dual Certified Command Post Controller, 5^th Bomb Wing;

Minot AFB, ND

5. March 1998 – September 1999, Installation Deployment Officer & Crisis Action Team (CAT) Director, 11^th Wing Plans and Programs; Bolling AFB, Washington D.C.

6. September 1999 – March 2000, Chief, Exercise and Evaluation Team, 11^th Wing Plans and Programs; Bolling AFB, Washington D.C.

7. March 2000 – July 2001, Officer in Charge, Ceremonies and Protocol, 11^th Wing; Bolling AFB, Washington D.C.

8. July 2001 – September 2004, Aide de Camp, to the Commander, Air Force Reserve Command; Pentagon, Washington D.C./Warner Robbins AFB, GA

9. October 2004 – January 2005, Secretary to the Joint Staff and interim Chief of Staff, Iraq Project and Contracting Office; Baghdad, Iraq

10. February 2005 – July 2006, Chief, Air Force Auxiliary Requirements Development and Integration; Pentagon, Washington D.C.

11. July 2006 – April 2009, Congressional Liaison Officer, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force; Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

12. April 2009 – present, Commander, Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), Task Force Cyclone, Combined Joint Task Force 82; Anaba, Afghanistan

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

Bronze Star (Army)

Meritorious Service Medal (w/1 OLC)

Air Force Commendation Medal (w/2 OLC’s)

Air Force Achievement Medal

Joint Meritorious Unit Award

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

Air Force Organizational Excellence Award (w/1 OLC)

Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation

Navy Battle “E”

Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal (w/bronze star)

Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/bronze star)