Command Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Erikson became the first woman to be promoted to Chief of State Command of the Minnesota Air National Guard.

At a change of responsibility ceremony in St. Paul over the weekend, Maj. Gen. Shawn P. Manke, adjutant general of the Minnesota National Guard, elevated Erikson to the senior position, which includes the direction and management of approximately 2,000 airmen in two separate wings. and a head office in the state of Minnesota.

“My priorities are to forge relationships to enhance the resilience of the force so that we can provide this state and this nation with a ready force,” Erikson said at the ceremony. “I will also provide opportunities for development and growth. “

Erikson’s military career has seen a wide variety of experiences, with six different service positions in 32 years of service. She started out as a jet engine mechanic on a C-141 cargo plane at a time when this career field was dominated by men. She held administrative positions such as training manager, personnel systems manager and recruiting office supervisor, before becoming a senior non-commissioned officer in charge of the 148th Medical Group, a position she held for 10 years.

She was deployed to Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan in this latter leadership role.

Reid Forgrave • 612-673-4647