Ehrman named to USAFE-AFAFRICA post

  • Published
  • 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. --  — Chaplain James F. “Fred” Ehrman has been named Air National Guard assistant to the command chaplain, United States Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa.

Ehrman, who most recently served as chaplain for the 123rd Airlift Wing, also was promoted to the rank of colonel during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base here Jan. 5.

In his new role, Ehrman advises USAFE-AFAFRICA and Air National Guard leadership on all matters that pertain to religious freedom, accommodation, morale and activities related to the ANG Chaplain Corps.

He also oversees integration of ANG chaplains into USAFE-AFAFRICA missions, exercises and theater security packages, including military-to-military and key leader engagements.

Lastly, Ehrman serves as command chaplain, providing spiritual support to five combatant commands, nine major operating bases or wings and more than 80 geographically separated units.

Ehrman began his military career in 1984 after graduating from Davidson College in the Army ROTC program. He served four years on active duty as an intelligence officer before transferring to the Army Reserve to attend graduate school at the University of Texas in Austin.

He then transferred to the Air Force Reserve while completing a doctorate in German literature. He was commissioned in the Air Force Reserve as a chaplain candidate in 1996 and into the active-duty chaplaincy in 1999, serving at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

Ehrman joined the Kentucky Air National Guard in 2002 and served the Louisville-based 123rd Airlift Wing for 16 years.

On ordained Presbyterian minister, Ehrman also is an associate certified educator at the Louisville VA Medical Center, where he teaches active-duty, Guard and civilian chaplains.