Col. (Dr.) Erich W. Schroeder is the Command Surgeon, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. He creates medical programs to generate and sustain reliable combat-ready forces to provide strategic deterrence and global strike capability in support of U.S. Strategic Command and other Geographic Combatant Commanders. Col. Schroeder directs strategy, policy, training, manpower, and resources for eight military treatment facilities in nine Wings with 2,530 medical staff, assuring trusted care for 180,000 beneficiaries via a $107 million annual operating budget. Col. Schroeder promotes the Air Force Surgeon General's programs for resilient Airmen and families to ensure a medical fit force and to provide current and competent expeditionary medics.
Col. Schroeder initially received his commission in 1993 from the U.S. Air Force Academy and served as an aircraft maintenance officer and AFROTC instructor. He subsequently became a physician serving in multiple capacities to include serving as an exchange officer with the Australian Defense Force and as a commander at the squadron and group levels.
EDUCATION
1993 Bachelor of Science Degree, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
1994 Aircraft Maintenance and Munitions Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
1994 Nuclear Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
1996 Master of Science in Industrial Management, Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, Mo.
1998 Squadron Officer School (in residence), Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2005 Doctor of Medicine, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kan.
2006 Internal Medicine Internship, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan.
2006 Aerospace Medicine Primary Course, Brooks AFB, Texas
2009 Master of Public Health, University of Texas-Houston, San Antonio Campus, Texas
2009 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2010 Residency in Aerospace Medicine, United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks City-Base, San Antonio, Texas (Board Certified)
2011 Residency in Occupational Medicine, USAFSAM, Brooks City-Base, San Antonio, Texas (Board Certified)
2015 American Association for Physician Leadership Certified Physician Executive (SDE equivalency)
2016 Air War College, by correspondence
2021 Interagency Institute for Federal Health Leaders, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
2021 Capstone Course for Military Health System Leaders, Joint Medical Executive Skills Institute
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1993-March 1995, B-2 Munitions Accountable System Officer, 509th Maintenance Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
2. April 1995-February 1996, B-2 Fabrication Flight Commander, 509th Maintenance Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
3. March 1996-February 1997, B-2 Sortie Generation Flight Commander, 393rd Bomb Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
4. March 1997-May 1998, F-117 Sortie Support Flight Commander, Sortie Generation Flight Commander, then Squadron Maintenance Officer, 7th Fighter Training Squadron, Holloman AFB, N.M.
5. June 1998-May 1999, F-117 Sortie Generation Flight Commander, 8th Fighter Squadron, Holloman AFB, N.M.
6. June 1999-June 2001, Asst Professor of Aerospace Studies, Det 280, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan.
7. July 2001-June 2005, Medical Student, Health Professions Scholarship Program, University of
Kansas Medical School, Kansas City, Kan.
8. July 2005-June 2006, Internship, Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan.
9. July 2006-June 2008, Flight Surgeon, 20th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
10. July 2008-June 2011, Residency of Aerospace Medicine, USAFSAM, Brooks City-Base, Texas
11. July 2011-June 2013, Chief of Aerospace Medicine, 509th Medical Group, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
12. July 2013-June 2016, United States Military Personnel Exchange Program to Australia, serving as Staff Officer 1, Aviation Medicine and Interoperability, Joint Health Command, Canberra, ACT, Australia
13. July 2016-June 2017, Commander, DATA MASKED Medical Unit
14. July 2017-June 2020, Commander, 673d Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
15. July 2020-July 2022, Commander, 2nd Medical Group, Barksdale AFB, La.
16. July 2022-June 2024, Commander, 6th Medical Group, MacDill AFB, Fla.
17. June 2024-June 2026, Deputy Command Surgeon, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, La.
18. June 2026-present, Command Surgeon, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, La.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Chief Flight Surgeon
Flight hours: over 845
Aircraft flown: T-1, C-5, T-6, C-12, T-38, B-52, UH-60, C-130, KC-135, BBJ, CL-604, BE1900C
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit Medal with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Department of Defense Commander-in-Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence (as team member), 2020
Society of US Air Force Flight Surgeons Team Aerospace Award x2 (as team member), PACAF, 2020; AFGSC, 2013
Letter of Distinction, Certificate of Appreciation, Australian Defence Force, Joint Health Command, 2016
Field Grade Officer of the Year, 509th Medical Group, 2012
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 2, 1993
First Lieutenant June 2, 1995
Captain May 27, 2005
Major May 27, 2007
Lieutenant Colonel May 27, 2013
Colonel May 31, 2018
(Current as of June 2026)