Chief Master Sergeant Edward P. Rittberg is the Command Chief, 106th Rescue Wing, Francis S. Gabreski Airport, Westhampton Beach, N.Y. As the Command Chief, he serves as the advisor to the commander on matters influencing the health, moral, welfare, quality of life, and professional development of all enlisted personnel assigned to the wing.
Chief Rittberg enlisted as a Life Support Specialist in the United States Air Force in 1994. After completing his technical training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, he was assigned to the 335th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB. While there, he was a water survival instructor assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing. In 1997, under the Palace Chase program, he joined the New York Air National Guard and was assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing, Mission Support Group. In 2000, he cross-trained to become an HC-130 Loadmaster assigned to the 102nd Rescue Squadron.
Chief Rittberg deployed in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, NORTHERN WATCH, and ENDURING FREEDOM. He supported the Operations as a Life Support Specialist and Rescue Loadmaster. As he cross-trained into the Logistics Plans career field he was selected as the Air National Guard Logistics Compliance Assessment Program Inspector and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Logistics Plans Advisory Group. In 2010, while still at the Air National Guard Readiness Center, he filled the critical role of Career Field Functional Manager for Logistics Plans. In September 2011, he became the Chief of the Air Expeditionary Force branch responsible for the deployment of 105,000 ANG Airmen covering worldwide Combatant Command task requirements. After his return to the 106th Rescue Wing in 2014, he had the unique experience of serving as the Senior Enlisted Leader in three groups. He was the Mission Support Group Superintendent, until he became the 106th Medical Group Superintendent in October 2016, and the 106th Maintenance Group Senior Enlisted Leader in 2018. He has served as the 106th Rescue Wing Command Chief since 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 April 2023)