CMSgt Eric V. Adkins serves as the Senior Enlisted Leader, for the Air Commando Development Center (ACDC), Hurlburt Field, Florida. ACDC is the focal point for Special Operations Forces operational and professional development, as well as certification, validation, and verification for all AFSOC units of action. As a proponent for AFSOC’s force development, the ACDC champions training, education, and exercise development to conduct special operations mission across the spectrum of conflict. He serves a critical role on the Command Team as he advises the commander on issues affecting the health, welfare, morale, training and professional development of the Center and support personnel across ten Air Force Specialty Codes.
Chief Adkins previously served as the Senior enlisted leader of the 582d Helicopter Group. As the SEL, to a group with over 420 Total Force Airmen and contract personnel in four geographically separated units located across three installations – Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming; Minot AFB, North Dakota; and Malmstrom AFB, Montana. The 582d Helicopter Group operates UH-1N Helicopters to provide armed aerial security and surveillance over the nation’s arsenal of 450 intercontinental ballistic missiles. The unit also conducts stateside civilian search and rescue operations in support of the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Chief Adkins is the commander’s primary advisor on the mission effectiveness, professional development, readiness, training, utilization,health, morale and welfare of the group’s enlisted force.
Chief Adkins entered the Air Force in January 1998. Initially assigned to the aerospace propulsion career field, he retrained into the helicopter operations community in 2011 as an UH-1N Huey Helicopter Flight Engineer. CMSgt Adkins has accumulated over 2,000 flight hours, including more than 120 combat hours. He has held various senior enlisted positions while serving at squadron, group and Air Force Headquarters Direct Reporting Unit levels. He has deployed in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, and SENTINAL FREEDOM. Prior to assuming his current position as the SEL of the 73d SOS, he was the 582d Helicopter Group SEL, he was also the Special Missions Aviator Functional Manager at the Air Force District of Washington and the command’s UH-1N Evaluator Flight Engineer.
EDUCATION
2002 Airman Leadership School, Hurlburt Field, Florida 2007 Airframe and Powerplant License, FAA
2011 Professional Leadership and Management Certification, University of Notre Dame 2011 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Tyndall AFB, FL
2015 Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation Maintenance, Community College of the Air Force 2015 Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation Operations, Community College of the Air Force 2015 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education, National Defense University
2018 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, National Defense University 2019 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Gunter Annex, AL
2023 Chief Leadership Course, Gunter Annex, AL
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Jan 1998 – Mar 1998, trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. Mar 1998 – Jul 1998, student, Aerospace Propulsion Maintenance Course, Shepard AFB, Texas
3. Jul 1998 – Oct 2002, Aerospace Propulsion Journeyman, 15th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Hurlburt Field, Florida
4. Oct 2002 – Nov 2006, Isochronal Inspection Wing Leader, 16th Component Maintenance Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida
5. Nov 2006 – May 2008, Combat Aviation Advisor, 6th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida
6. May 2008 – Oct 2012, Combat Aviation Advisor Team Sergeant, 6th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida
7. Oct 2012 – Aug 2016, Squadron Superintendent and UH-1N/Evaluator Flight Engineer, 40th Helicopter Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, MT.
8. Aug 2016 – Aug 2020, Squadron Superintendent, 1st Helicopter Squadron, JB Andrews, Md.
9. Aug 2020 – Nov 2021, Special Missions Aviator Functional Manager/Command Evaluator, Air Force District of Washington, JB Andrews, Md.
10. Nov 2021 – Nov 2022, Senior Enlisted Leader, 37th Helicopter Squadron, FE Warren AFB, Wy
11. Nov 2022 - Aug 2023, Senior Enlisted Leader, 582d Helicopter Group, FE Warren AFB, Wy
12. Aug 2023 - June 2024, Senior Enlisted Leader, 73d Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Fld, FL
13. June 2024 – June 2025, Senior Enlisted Leader, 15th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Fld, FL
14. June 2025 – Current, Senior Enlisted Leader Air Commando Development Center. Hurlburt Fld FL
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Senior Enlisted Aircrew
Flight Hours: +2,000 hours including more than 115 combat hrs Aircraft Flown: UH-1N/UH-1H, MI17/171, AC-130J, MC-130J
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air Force Air Medal with C\Device and three oak leaf clusters Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Combat Action Ribbon Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor with eight oak leaf clusters Combat Readiness Medal with one oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal Army Combat Action Badge
(Current as of October 15, 2025)