a poster depicting open house info

Colonel COLONEL RICHARD W. ZEIGLER

Colonel Zeigler is the Chief, Security Forces for Headquarters, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base (AFB), La. In this capacity, he is responsible for developing and executing physical security policy, plans and programs for eight installations. He oversees training and readiness for 5,800 Security Forces, protecting Air Force Global Strike Command assets to include United States Strategic Command’s nuclear deterrent forces, along with organizing and equipping Global Strike units to ensure exceptional readiness and lethality. Additionally, he serves as the Program Manager for Antiterrorism and Force Protection, responsible for advising the Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command on mitigation efforts and security postures across the command. Colonel Zeigler enlisted in the Air Force in 1990 as a Security Specialist. After 13 years of enlisted service, he commissioned through Officer Training School in April 2003 as a Security Forces Officer. Throughout his career, Col Zeigler has had tours as an Instructor, contingency operations, Operations Officer, Headquarters staff, and Squadron Command. Colonel Zeigler graduated from the U.S. Army General Command and Staff College graduate and has served on the Air Forces Africa, U.S. Air Forces Europe, U.S. European Command, Global Stike Command staffs. He has Commanded Security Forces Squadrons in Global Strike Command, Air Force Central Command, and Pacific Air Forces Command. Prior to his current position, he was the Deputy Commander, 379th Mission Support Group, Al Udied AB, Qatar.

EDUCATION

2002 Bachelor of Science, Occupational Education and Training, Wayland Baptist University, Plano, Texas.
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
2008 Master of Science, International Relations and Diplomacy, Norwich University, Norwich, Vermont
2012 Air command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
2016 U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
2021 Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
 

ASSIGNMENTS

May 2003 – May 2006, Flight Commander / Training & Resources, 6th Security Forces Squadron, Macdill AFB, FL
June 2006 – July 2007, Advisor, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq
August 2007 – December 2009, Operations Officer, 741 Missile Security Forces Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, MT
January 2010 – August 2010, Commander, 741 Missile Security Forces Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, MT
August 2010 – July 2011, Chief, Force Protection, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, Al Udeid AB, Qatar
August 2011 – June 2012, Chief, Air Forces Forward Force Protection, 17th AF, Ramstein AB, Germany
June 2012 – June 2013, Chief, Contingency and Future Operations, USAFE, Ramstein AB, Germany
June 2013 – January 2014, Commander, 451 Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Afghanistan
January 2014 – July 2014, Commander, 407 Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Jordan
July 2014 – May 2015, Chief, Operations Branch, USAFE, Ramstein AB, Germany
June 2015 – June 2016, Student, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS
July 2016 – July 2018, Commander, 90th Security Forces Squadron, F.E. Warren AFB, WY
July 2018 – July 2020, Commander, 673rd Security Forces Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK
August 2020 – July 2021, Deputy Commander, 379th Mission Support Group, Al Udeid AB, Qatar
July 2021 – May 2024, USEUCOM ECJ5, Chief, Nuclear Security Policy, Stuttgart, Germany
May 2024 – May 2025, AFGSC A3S, Chief, Security Forces Division, Barksdale AFB, LA
July 2021 – May 2024, Chief, Nuclear Security Policy, USEUCOM ECJ5-W, Stuttgart, Germany
 
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star          
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal five Oak Leaf Clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal four Oak Leaf Clusters
Joint Service Achievement Medal   
Air and Space Achievement Medal four Oak Leaf Clusters
Combat Action Medal        
Afghanistan Campaign Medal two Service Stars
Iraq Campaign Medal one Service Star
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal two Oak Leaf Clusters
NATO Medal
 
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic, 09 AUG 1990
Airman, 09 FEB 1991
Airman First Class, 09 DEC 1991
Senior Airmen, 09 AUG 1993
Staff Sergeant, 01 JUN 1997
Technical Sergeant, 01 JUN 2002
Second Lieutenant, 04 APR 2003
First Lieutenant, 04 APR 2005
Captain, 04 APR 2007
Major, 01 FEB 2013
Lt Colonel, 01 JAN 2018
Colonel, 01 FEB 2025