Col Eric P. Kilburg is the Deputy Wing Commander for the 128th Air Refueling Wing, Air National Guard Base, General Mitchell Field, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is responsible for the manning, training, and readiness of more than 950 Wing personnel who enable the combat employment of the Wing’s ten KC-135R Stratotankers in support of its State and worldwide Air Force missions.
Col Kilburg enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1993 and served at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska. In 1996, he transferred to the Air National Guard at Des Moines, Iowa. He earned his commission in May 2001 from the Academy of Military Science at McGhee Tyson ANGB, Knoxville, Tennessee, and Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB, Texas. Prior to his current position, the Colonel was the Maintenance Group Commander, 128 ARW, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
During more than 30 years of aviation service, Col Kilburg has earned Aircraft Commander, Instructor, and Evaluator Pilot certifications, and has logged more than 500 combat flying hours in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, UNIFIED PROTECTOR, FREEDOM SENTINEL, RESTORE HOPE and RESOLUTE SUPPORT.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Business Degree, Information Management Systems, Western Illinois University, Macomb
2001 Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
2002 Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin Air Force Base (AFB), Texas
2002 Combat Crew Training School, Altus AFB, Okla.
2003 KC-135 Aircraft Commander Initial Qualification Course, Scott AFB, Ill.
2005 Squadron Officers’ School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2006 KC-135 Instructor Aircraft Commander Course, Altus AFB, Okla.
2012 Air Command & Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2020 Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala, by correspondence
2022 Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 1993 - November 1993, Student, Basic Training, Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), Texas
2 November 1993 - December 1996, Information Management Specialist, Air Force Global Weather central, Offutt AFB, Neb.
3. December 1996 - September 2001, Information Management Specialist, 132 Fighter Wing, Des Moines, Iowa
4. September 2001 - October 2002, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas
5. October 2002 – April 2003, Student, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Moody AFB, Ga.
6. April 2003 - August 2003, Student, Combat Crew Training School, Altus AFB, Okla.
7. August 2003 - March 2005, First Pilot, 185 Air Refueling Wing (ARW), Sioux City, Iowa
8. March 2005 - March 2006, Scheduling Officer, 185 ARW, Sioux City, Iowa
9. March 2006 - April 2006, Student, Aircraft Commander Pilot Upgrade Training, Scott AFB, Ill.
10. April 2006 - September 2010, Director of Aircrew Scheduling, 185 ARW, Sioux City, Iowa
11. September 2010 - November 2010, Student, Instructor Aircraft Commander Upgrade, Altus AFB, Okla.
12. November 2010 - March 2013, Standardization and Evaluation Liaison Officer, 185 ARW, Sioux City, Iowa
13. March 2013 - October 2015, Chief of Safety, 185 ARW, Sioux City, Iowa
14. October 2015 - June 2017, Flight Commander, 174 Air Refueling Squadron, Sioux City, Iowa
15. June 2017 - September 2019, Chief of Wing Plans, 128 ARW, Milwaukee, Wis.
16. September 2019 - December 2020, Operations Group Deputy Commander, 128 ARW, Milwaukee, Wis.
17. December 2020 - January 2022, Operations Support Squadron Commander, 128 ARW, Milwaukee, Wis.
18. January 2022 - February 2024, Maintenance Group Commander, 128 ARW, Milwaukee, Wis.
19. February 2024 - Present, Deputy Wing Commander, 128 ARW, Milwaukee, Wis.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: more than 3,500
Aircraft flown: KC-135E/R/T/MPRS, T-37, T-38
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and six oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one hourglass and one “M” device
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant February 15, 2001
First Lieutenant February 15, 2003
Captain February 15, 2005
Major February 15, 2010
Lieutenant Colonel October 1, 2015
Colonel July 5, 2022
(Current as of April 2025)