CMSgt Joshua D. Ziriak is the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 81st Training Group, Keesler AFB, Mississippi. He is responsible to the Commander for the professional development, military readiness and mission effectiveness of more than 4,000 officer, enlisted and civilian personnel from all four Department of Defense services and international militaries. Chief Ziriak provides guidance to seven Commanders and leads 1,300 instructors and staff who deliver 394 courses to more than 2,500 non-prior service Airmen and 500 temporary duty students daily. The Group’s collective efforts produce over 27,000 graduates per year and directly enhance the operation Air Force’s lethality and readiness.

CMSgt Ziriak entered the U.S. Air Force in September of 2000. He graduated from Tactical Aircraft Maintenance training in May 2001. Throughout his career he has maintained F-16, F-117A, F- 15E, A-10, F-35, and MQ-9 aircraft under four Major Commands. CMSgt Ziriak filled a myriad of roles for a wide
array of mission sets from U.S. Air Forces Europe and Pacific Air Forces to the Total Force Integration enterprise. Additionally, he has deployed in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, FREEDOM’S SENTINEL, and INHERENT RESOLVE. Prior to his current position, Chief Ziriak was the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Holloman AFB, New Mexico. He has been married to his wife for 18 years and has four children.

EDUCATION:
2004 Airman Leadership School, Aviano AB, Italy
2005 Associates Degree, Aircraft Maintenance Technology, CCAF
2010 Bachelor of Science Degree, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide 2013 NCO Academy (Kisling), Kapuan Air Station, Germany
2017 Master of Science in Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide 2019 SNCO Academy, Gunter Annex, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2020 Project Management Professional Certification, Project Management Institute 2022 Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB, Alabama

ASSIGNMENTS:
1.    October 2000 – May 2001, Student, Tactical Aircraft Maintenance, Sheppard AFB, TX
2.    May 2001 – July 2002, Assistant Dedicated Crew Chief, Cannon AFB, NM
3.    July 2002 – August 2003, Assistant Dedicated Crew Chief, Osan AB, ROK
4.    August 2003 – August 2006, Dedicated Crew Chief, Aviano AB, Italy
5.    August 2006 – September 2011, Dedicated Crew Chief, AFSO21 Facilitator, Flightline Expediter, Holloman AFB, NM
6.    September 2011 – September 2012, Flightline Expediter, Osan AB, ROK
7.    September 2012 – August 2018, Flightline Expediter, Aircraft Section Chief, Production Superintendent, RAF Lakenheath, England
8.    August 2018 – August 2020, Superintendent, 358th Fighter Squadron, Whiteman AFB, MO
9.    August 2020 – February 2022, Assistant Superintendent, 421st Fighter Generation Squadron, Hill AFB, UT
10.    February 2022 – June 2022, Senior Enlisted Leader, 388th Logistics Support Squadron, Hill AFB, UT
11.    June 2022 – December 2022, 314th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Superintendent, Holloman AFB, NM
12.    January 2023 – July 2024, Senior Enlisted Leader, 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Holloman AFB, NM
13.    July 2024 – Present, Senior Enlisted Leader, 81st Training Group, Keesler AFB, MS

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Airman Basic, 12 September 2000
Airman First Class, 27 October 2000
Senior Airman, 27 February 2003
Staff Sergeant, 1 March 2005
Technical Sergeant, 1 May 2010
Master Sergeant, 1 May 2014
Senior Master Sergeant, 1 September 2018
Chief Master Sergeant, 1 May 2022

(Current as of July 2024)