About the author

Military bio adapted from nhahistoricalsociety.org.

A San Francisco native, Eric moved to rural New England where he attended grade school and middle school. An avid sports enthusiast, he attended the New Hampton School in central New Hampshire where he ran cross country, played hockey and lacrosse.  Eric attended Ohio Wesleyan University, where he studied economics and ran varsity track. He was commissioned through the Platoon Leaders Class in 1988 and reported to The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia.

Eric completed flight training in Pensacola, Florida and then trained to fly the AH-1J SeaCobra at Camp Pendleton, California. In 1991 he reported to the “Gunrunners” of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 269 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, and he earned his qualifications to fly the AH-1W SuperCobra.

From 1991-1996 he completed multiple Marine Expeditionary Unit deployments throughout the Persian Gulf, Norway, Somalia and the former Yugoslavia along with graduating from the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Course in Yuma, Arizona.

In 1996 he was a student at the Amphibious Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia and subsequently assigned as the weapons and tactics instructor for the “Red Dogs” of HMLA-773 at Naval Air Station, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. In 2000 he returned to Quantico as a student at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and in 2001 he returned to North Carolina and served as the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1.

Reassigned to HMLA-269 in 2002, he deployed with Amphibious Task Force – East in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) in 2003. It was this deployment that gave him the inspiration for Ghosts of Baghdad.

In 2004, he reported to Camp Pendleton, California and assumed command of the “Coyotes”. While commanding the “Coyotes” Eric deployed into the heart of the “Sunni Triangle” in 2004 and then again in 2005. Stationed just miles between the flashpoint cities of Fallujah and Ramadi, he and every “Coyote” supported US forces during OIF II and OIF 04-06. These deployments are the backdrop for his next book, Devil in the Triangle, which is expected to be released in the fall of 2024.

In 2006, Eric returned to Quantico, Virginia once again. This time as a student at the Marine Corps War College. In 2007 he was assigned to the Joint Staff J-7, Operational Plans and Joint Force Development Directorate in Washington, D.C. In 2010, he reported to the National War College as an Associate Professor of National Security Strategy and Policy. While assigned to the National War College deployed in 2012 to Kabul, Afghanistan as a Special Advisor to the Commander, US Forces Afghanistan.

In 2013, he reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida as the Commander, Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 and retired in 2016. Eric retired with more than 4,000 flight hours.

Eric civilian education includes a BA Economics (Ohio Wesleyan University), MBA (LaSalle University), MA Military Studies (USMC Command and Staff College) and an MA Strategic Studies (Marine Corps War College).

Eric’s personal military awards include: Defense Superior Service Medal w/OLC, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross w/ combat ‘V’, Meritorious Service Medal w/ gold star, Air Medal w/ combat ‘V’ gold numeral 2 and Strike/Flight numeral 17, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ gold star, Joint Service Achievement Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Eric is currently a senior executive for an aviation and training company. He is also a consultant and public speaker in the areas of military and commercial aviation and global conflict.