Command Chief Master Sgt. Edward Rittberg, a Mattituck resident, appointed as regional representative to the Air National Guard's Enlisted Field Advisory Council.
This version contains additional information about the 106th Rescue Wing .
F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, New York (03/05/2024) — New York Air National Guard Command Chief Master Sgt. Edward Rittberg, the top enlisted Airman in the 106th Rescue Wing and a Mattituck resident, has been appointed to the Air National Guard's Field Advisory Council.
The advisory council's role is to represent the concerns of the Air National Guard's 91,000 enlisted Airmen spread across 54 states and territories.
The council proposes solutions, provides legislative and executive oversight, and recommends policy action to the Air National Guard Command Chief on issues and concerns impacting the enlisted force of the Air National Guard.
Rittberg will be one of two Airmen representing 15,000 enlisted Airmen in the eight northeast states that make up Region One of the Air Guard's seven regions.
"I am honored to represent the enlisted force of Region One at the national level as we develop our airmen of tomorrow," Rittberg said.
Col. Shawn Fitzgerald, the commander of the 106th Rescue Wing, praised Rittberg's selection for this role.
"I am thrilled about Command Chief Rittberg's appointment as one of the Enlisted Field Advisory Council Representatives for Region One," Fitzgerald said.
"His extensive experience will be invaluable in this role, offering him a unique opportunity to positively impact the lives of even more Airmen," he added.
Rittberg enlisted in the Air Force in 1994 as a life support specialist.
His first assignment was with the 335th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, in in Goldsboro, North Carolina. He joined the New York Air National Guard in 1997 and was assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing's Mission Support Group.
In 2000, he became an HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft loadmaster assigned to the wing's 102nd Rescue Squadron.
As wing command chief since 2023, Rittberg has served as the key advisor to Fitzgerald.
He has also served as a senior enlisted Airmen in three of the wing's groups. He has served as superintendent of the wing's Mission Support Group, Medical Group, and Maintenance Group.
The 106th Rescue Wing, based at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, New York, operates and maintains the HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft, and the HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter. The 106th Rescue Wing is home to a special warfare squadron with pararescuemen and combat rescue officers, specializing in rescue and recovery, and deploys for domestic and overseas operations.
Media Attachments
Command Chief Master Sgt. Edward Rittberg
New York National Guard
Capt. Cheran Campbell, 631-723-7470Share this Story
Recent News
- East Moriches resident retires from Air National Guard after 32 years of service
- NY National Guard chaplain Timothy Miller, a Colonie resident, represents U.S. at South African conference
- New 42nd Infantry Division Commander is promoted to major general in the New York Army National Guard
- Palm Harbor resident Jack James is promoted to major general in the New York Army National Guard
- NY Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Isabel Rivera Smith takes command of 53rd Troop Command
- Carl Rosenkranz, a Poestenkill resident, is promoted to Major in New York Army National Guard
- NY Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing begins 37th year of support Antarctic Science
- Army Guard command headquartered at Camp Smith gets new commander on Saturday, October 19
- Darien Center resident Mike Bank, promoted to two-star general during ceremony on board C-17 at Stewart Air Guard Base on Tuesday, October 8
- NY Air Guard commander gets two-star rank during ceremony at Stewart Air National Guard Base