Col. Benjamin M. Gerds is the commander of the 115th Fighter Wing, Wisconsin Air National Guard, Truax Field, Madison, Wisconsin. As commander, he is responsible for organizing, training and equipping over 1,000 active-guard and traditional forces that simultaneously serve state and federal missions while falling under the Governor of Wisconsin and the President of the United States of America. The 115th Fighter Wing operates the F-35A Lightning II as its primary weapon system.
Beginning his military career in October 1998 as an enlisted Airman, Col. Gerds served as an F-16 weapons system apprentice before earning a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He attended officer candidate selection school and earned his commission in 2002. Over his 26 years of services he has served as the 176 Fighter Squadron Weapons Officer, 176 Fighter Squadron Commander, Wisconsin National Guard State Director of Operations, 115th Fighter Wing Unit Conversion Officer. Prior to his current position the colonel was the 115th Operations Group Commander.
During this time, he has deployed eight times in support of expeditionary and overseas missions including Operations NOBLE EAGLE, IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, FREEDOMS SENTINEL and RESOLUTE SUPPORT. Col. Gerds is a United States Air Force Weapons School graduate and is a command pilot with more than 2,800 flying hours in the F-35A, F-16C/D, T-38A/C, and T-37.
EDUCATION
1999 Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
1999 USAF Technical School, F-16 Weapons System Apprentice, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2000 Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Wisconsin, Madison
2002 Officer Candidate School, McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
2003 Joint-Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, Okla.
2003 F-16 Flying Training School, Luke AFB, Ariz.
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2011 USAF Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2022 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2023 Air Command and Staff College Online Master’s Program, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 1998-January 2002, F-16 Weapons System Apprentice, 115th Fighter Wing, Truax Field, Wis.
2. February 2002-April 2003, Student, Joint-Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance Air Force Base, Okla.
3. April 2003-June 2003, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Moody AFB, Ga.
4. June 2003-April 2004, Student, 63rd FS F-16 Flying Training Unit, Luke AFB, Ariz.
5. April 2004-Feb 2007, Electronic Combat Officer, Flight Lead, Chief of Scheduling, 176th Fighter Squadron, Truax Field, Wis.
6. March 2007-October 2009, Instructor Pilot, Chief of Training, 176FS, Truax Field, Wis.
7. October 2009-June 2011, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 176FS, Truax Field, Wis.
8. July 2011-December 20011, Student, USAF Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
9. January 2012-August 2015, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, Flight Examiner, 176FS, Truax Field, Wis.
10. August 2015-October 2018, Director of Operations, 176FS, Truax Field, Wis.
11. October 2018-November 2020, Commander, 176FS, Truax Field, Wis.
12. November 2020-July 2023, F-35 Unit Conversion Officer, 115FW, Truax Field, Wis.
13. November 2020-July 2023, Operations Group Deputy Commander, 115FW, Truax Field, Wis.
14. July 2023-November 2024, Operations Group Commander, 115FW, Truax Field, Wis.
15. November 2024-Present, Wing Commander, 115FW, Truax Field, Wis.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: more than 2,800
Combat hours: 507
Aircraft flown: F-35A, F-16C/D, T-38A/C and T-37
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with seven “C” devices and six oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Combat Action Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
First Lieutenant Feb. 22, 2004
Captain Feb. 22, 2006
Major Feb. 22, 2010
Lieutenant Colonel Sep. 1, 2015
Colonel Jan. 31, 2024
(Current as of November 2024)