Chief Master Sergeant Edward P. Rittberg is the Command Chief of the 106th Rescue Wing, Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, N.Y. He is the wing commander’s principal advisor on all matters influencing the morale, welfare, readiness, and professional development of the wing’s enlisted force.
Chief Rittberg enlisted in the Air Force in 1994 and began his career as a Life Support Specialist at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. In 1997, he transitioned to the New York Air National Guard via the Palace Chase program and joined the 106th Rescue Wing. In 2000, he cross-trained as an HC-130 Loadmaster with the 102nd Rescue Squadron. Chief Rittberg has deployed in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, NORTHERN WATCH, and ENDURING FREEDOM as both a Life Support Specialist and a Rescue Loadmaster.
His expertise led to his selection for key roles at the Air National Guard Readiness Center, where he served as the Logistics Plans Career Field Functional Manager and later as Chief of the Air Expeditionary Force branch, overseeing the deployment cycle for 105,000 Airmen. Upon returning to the 106th Rescue Wing, he served in a unique succession of senior enlisted leader roles as the Group Superintendent for the Mission Support Group, Medical Group, and Maintenance Group. As a recognized leader among his peers, he was selected to serve as a panel speaker for the Total Force Commanders Course and was the President of the 106th Rescue Wing Chiefs Council. He assumed his current role as Command Chief in April 2023.
EDUCATION
1994 Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
1994 Life Support Apprentice Course, Sheppard AFB Texas
1998 Non-commissioned Officer Prep Course, correspondence
2000 Basic Loadmaster Course, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
2000 Rescue Loadmaster Mission Qualification, Kirkland AFB, N.M.
2004 Non-commissioned Officer Academy, correspondence
2004 Logistics Plans Apprentices, Lackland AFB, Texas
2007 Senior Non-commissioned Officer Academy, correspondence
2012 Air Force Dist of Washington Chief’s Orientation, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2012 Associates Degree in Logistics, Community College of the Air Force
2012 Associates Degree of Arts, University of Phoenix, correspondence
2013 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Washington D.C.
2014 Air Force Smart Operations Executive Leadership Course, University of Tennessee, Tenn.
2017 Combine Senior Leadership Course, Defense Health Headquarters, Va.
2018 Contemporary Base Issues Course, Louisville, Ky.
2019 Leadership Symposium, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Pa.
2019 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I/II, correspondence
2021 Bachelors of Science in Management, University of Phoenix, correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1994 - August 1997, 335th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.
2. August 1997 - October 2011, 106th Rescue Wing, New York Air National Guard
3. October 2011 - June 2014, Chief, AEF Cell, ANGRC-Joint Base Andrews, Md.
4. June 2014 - October 2016, 106th Mission Support Group Superintendent, NYANG
5 October 2016 - May 2018, 106th Medical Group Superintendent, NYANG
6. May 2018 - March 2023, 106th Maintenance Group Senior Enlisted Leader, NYANG
7. April 2023 - Present, 106th Rescue Wing Command Chief, NYANG
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Instructor Loadmaster
Flight hours: More than 1,100
Aircraft flown Aboard: HC-130P, HC-130N, MC-130P, C-130E
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2014 Air National Guard Readiness Center Chief Group Vice President, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2019-2021 Chiefs Council President, 106th Rescue Wing, N.Y.
2021-2022 Maintenance Group Total Force Commanders Course, Panel Speaker
2021-2022 Chief of Department, Mattituck Fire Department, N.Y.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Chief Master Sergeant – 1 November 2011
(Current as of July 2025)