Eric Ziegler was part of the class of 1999. He graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. In 2010 he earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Touro University. As an F-16 pilot, he became a Flight Commander and was given the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal among numerous others. 

He was deployed twice to Iraq, flying more than 300 combat hours. Captain Ziegler served as an Operational Test Pilot with the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron and was selected to attend the elite USAF Weapons Instructor Course. He lost his life while doing what he loved, serving his country on June 28, 2011. He is survived by his wife Sarah and daughter Anna.