Mattituck resident named senior enlisted leader for the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing
Command Chief Master Sgt, Edward Rittberg takes on new role in March 5 ceremony at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base
F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, New York (03/08/2023) — New York Air National Guard Command Chief Master Sgt. Edward Rittberg, a Mattituck resident, was named senior enlisted leader for the 106th Rescue Wing during a Sunday, March 5 ceremony at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach.
Rittberg is a veteran of 28 years in the Air Force and New York Air National Guard. He replaced Command Chief Master Sgt. Michael Hewson, a Queens resident, and retired Suffolk County police officer, who will take over as the senior enlisted Airman for the 5,880-member New York Air National Guard on March 10.
As command chief, Rittberg is the liaison between Col. Shawn Fitzgerald, the commander of the 106th Rescue Wing and the wing's enlisted Airmen.
He serves as the personal advisor to Fitzgerald on all matters regarding the health, morale, welfare, quality of life and professional development of the enlisted force.
"This is an incredible honor and I look forward to embarking on it," said Rittberg.
"The most valuable resource we have is our Airmen," he said. " As a wing and as a team, I'm convinced we can accomplish anything."
In his remarks, Fitzgerald praised Rittberg as the right man for the job.
"His leadership, problem solving skills, and the ability to take care of Airmen under his charge will make him an invaluable command chief for the wing, " Fitzgerald said.
"I do not know of any other "chief" in the entire total force that has done what you have done," Fitzgerald told Rittberg. "I am excited to start a new chapter within the history of the 106th with you."
Rittberg enlisted in the Air Force in 1994 and served as a life support specialist in the 335th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina.
In 1997 he transferred to the New York Air National Guard and the 106th Rescue Wing. He has held senior enlisted leadership positions in the wing's Mission Support Group, Medical Group and Maintenance Group. He is also a veteran of the Afghan War, and an instructor loadmaster with over 1,100 hours in different versions of the C-130 Hercules tactical transport.
From 2011 to 2014, he served as the Chief for the Air Expeditionary Force cell at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington., D.C. The team was responsible for managing the deployment of Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel around the world.
He is a graduate of several professional military courses and holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Phoenix.
He is also attended the Wharton Leadership Conference 2019 conducted by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
He has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
He has also served as the Chief of the Mattituck Fire Department.
Video of the change of responsibility ceremony can be found no YouTube at this link : https://youtu.be/gv1Av_qVLLg
Media Attachments
106th Rescue Wing Commander Col. Shawn Fitzgerald, left, and outgoing 106th Command Chief Master Sergeant Michael Hewson, right, applaud Command Chief Master Sgt. Edward Rittberg as he assumes new role of command chief during a change of responsibility ceremony at the 106th Rescue Wing on Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, NY, March 5, 2023. Rittberg will assume the position fromHewson as he takes on his new role as the New York Air National Guard State Command Chief. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Farrell)
Chief Master Sergeant Edward Rittberg receives the guidon of the 106th Rescue Wing from 106th Rescue Wing Commander Col. Shawn Fitzgerald, during a change of responsibility ceremony at the 106th Rescue Wing on Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, NY, March 5, 2023, as his predecessor Command Chief Master Sgt. Michael Hewson looks on. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Farrell)
New York National Guard
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