Major Erik Carlson is a Defensive Fighter Planner and Air Tasking Order (ATO) Coordinator at the NATO Combined Air Operations Centre – Uedem. In this role, he plans operational-level air and missile defence in support of the Commander Allied Air Command’s directives during peace, crisis, and conflict. Major Carlson was commissioned in 2003 through the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Physics. He also holds Master’s degrees in Physics from the University of Washington and Military Operational Art and Science from the Air University. Major Carlson is a pilot of the C-17, C-20, and C-37 aircraft and has more than 785 combat hours in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, and Combined Joint Task Force HORN OF AFRICA.