Background: SFC Eric D. Luneau enlisted in the US Army in August 1996, attending Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Benning, Georgia. SFC Luneau's first duty station was at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. SFC Luneau has served in numerous light infantry, Airborne, and Air Assault units, including the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. SFC Luneau also served in the 1-509th Infantry (Airborne) on three separate occasions for a total of nine years.
The various leadership positions that SFC Luneau has held range from Team Leader to First Sergeant. He is a graduate of three levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System, the most recent being the Senior Leaders Course in 2006. SFC Luneau's other military training includes Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, Air Assault School, Master Resiliency Trainer, IED-D Master Trainer Course, CIED Integration JAAC Course, Biometric Operation Specialist Course, OCT Master Trainer Course, Unit Prevention Leader Course, Combat Life Saver Course, Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2), and the Dragon Missile Course (C2).
One of the more notable highlights of SFC Luneau's career include the longest Airborne Operation in history. Conducted in September 1997, this was an 8,000 mile, 19 hour nonstop, in-flight rig from Fort Bragg, North Carolina to Chimkent, Kazakhstan performed by the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. In addition, SFC Luneau participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2 with the 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry (Airborne), and completed 2 additional combat tours to Operation Enduring Freedom 9 and 11. By the time that SFC Luneau left Fort Polk, he had completed 89 jumps as well as 21 primary jumpmaster duties.
Awards: two Bronze Star Medals, four Meritorious Service Medals, Army Commendation Medal (with Valor), six Army Commendation Medals, eight Army Achievement Medals, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal (with two Combat Stars), Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, German Proficiency Badge (GOLD), Russian Jump Wings, German Jump Wings
Community: SFC Luneau's contribution to the 1st Battalion (Airborne) 509th Infantry Regiment cannot be overstated. He was a key factor in laying the foundation for what the organization currently is and developing the proficiency of the battalion as an elite Opposing Force. As the 1SG of Able Company, the last position he held with the 509th, SFC Luneau yet again proved how impactful he is as a leader. Under his management, Able Company was formed into a proficient and highly successful Opposing Force that maintains that reputation to this day.
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