American Hero Eric R. Card

Senior Master Sergeant (retired) Eric R Card

Card was born is Fargo, North Dakota and graduated from Staples High School, he entered the Air Force in 1991. His First assignment was at Cannon AFB as a weapons loader on F-111’s, his next assignment took him to Aviano AB, Italy where he was a Weapons Standardization Crew member on F-16’s. While in Aviano he
was recommended to become a Gunner on AC-130s. As a Gunner his duties included, Lead Gunner, Instructor Gunner and then Evaluator Gunner. During his time as an AC-130 Gunner, he logged 2000 flight hours and 1000 Combat hours in Afghanistan.

He was one of 11 crew members selected by Air Force Special Operations Command to stand up the Commands first Remotely Piloted Aircraft Squadron, from there he returned to Minnesota for an assignment in the North Dakota Air National Guard as a MQ-1 Predator Sensor Operator. During his time as a Sensor Operator on the MQ-1 he amassed 5,900 flight hours, with the majority in support of combat operations overseas.

His final assignment brought him back to Air Force Special Operations Command as the Enlisted Guard
Advisor to Head Quarters AFSOC, where he retired in 2014 with 23 years of Service.

Major Awards and Decorations:
Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor
3 Meritorious Service Medals
11 Air Medals
9 Aerial Achievement Medal