Officer in Charge
Cmdr. Rebecca A. Ziaja
Cmdr. Ziaja is a native of Rescue, California, and graduated from Marquette University with a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2005. Ziaja received her naval flight officer (NFO) “wings” in April of 2007, and reported to Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 123 in Norfolk, Virginia.
While attached to VAW-123, Ziaja was selected to attend the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and graduated as an advanced controller in 2009. While attached to VAW-123, she deployed aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Ziaja served as legal officer, aviation safety officer, and avionics division officer. In November of 2010, she was selected to attend Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School (CAEWWS) weapons and tactics instructor (WTI) course, earning her patch in April of 2011.
Ashore, Ziaja reported to Airborne Command Control and Logistics Weapons School Atlantic (ACCLOGWPNSCOLANT), where she became the strike warfare and CSG air and missile defense subject matter expert (SME). She served as SME and mentor to 4 Hawkeye squadrons and their associated air wings and strike groups, giving assistance and expertise during SFARPs, air defense syndicates, warfare commander's conferences, and tailored CSG training. While balancing her work with air wings, she earned her Master’s of Business Administration from The College of William and Mary.
After her tour at the weapons school, Ziaja checked into VAW-124 in September of 2014 as their training officer. After rounding out support of Operation Inherent Resolve, she immediately turned lessons learned from VAW-124, and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 translated them across airwings and Hawkeye squadrons. For her efforts she was awarded CVW-8 NFO of the year 2015 and Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic NFO of the year.
Upon completion of her training officer tour in July 2016, she checked into Airborne Command and Control and Logistics Wing (ACCLOGWING) Squadron Augment Unit (SAU) and served as training, safety, and administrative officer. After additionally serving as the operations and maintenance officer, she was selected to be the SAU's interim officer-in-charge (OIC).
In 2019, she left the SAU to report to Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command (CNRFC) N7 as the force training officer. During her tenure she oversaw 12 reserve force programs and 42 staff personnel while leading the Force Crisis Action Team through the implementation of COVID-19 response reporting and protocols, directly reporting to Chief of Navy Reserve (CNR). After departing CNRFC in May of 2023, she reported back to the SAU as OIC where she still serves.
Ziaja has amassed over 1000 military flight hours. Her personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. She has also received various unit and service awards.