Chief Master Sergeant Eric M. Dudash recently retired from active duty with the United States Air Force on 1 December 2018.  Spending over 30 years in service, Chief Dudash has been engaged in every conflict since Desert Shield & Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan, and multiple other engagements, including hostage rescue and drug interdiction. 

 

Obtaining the rank of Chief Master Sergeant/E9, he served in Command positions supporting various MAJCOMS from Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), Air Force Central Command (AFCENT), Air Combat Command (ACC), United States Air Forces Europe (USAFE), Special Operations Command (SOCCOM), Combined Joint Special Operations Component (CJSOAC) and Air Education & Training Command (AETC).  During his service, he deployed 17 times and completed 167 missions to different locations. 

 

Chief Master Sergeant Dudash’s last position allowed him to advise Commanders on readiness, utilization, morale, professional development, and quality of life of more than 6,000 permanent party enlisted members in 62 different Air Force Specialties and 35,000 student graduates worldwide annually.

 

Chief Dudash has a Master of Arts in Education, concentrating in Adult Education and Training.  He resides in Mentone, Alabama, with his bride, Barbara, and is proud of his 3children, Zachary, Brooke, and Adoree ("Add O Ray”).  He is a Bronze Legacy Life member of the Dekalb County VFW Post 3128 and serves as the VFW State of Alabama Sr. Vice Commander.

 

Along with his new battle buddy "Phantom,” they mentor other veterans in the Warrior Freedom Service Dogs program, help veterans receiving Hospice Care, are members of the Fort Payne Patriots Park Board, are active in the Fort Payne community, and speak to school classrooms across the state, as well as businesses about teamwork, resiliency, and servant leadership. 

 

He was recently honored with the 2022 Top 20 Community Leaders in DeKalb County, the 2022 Spirit of the Eagle Award (Boy Scouts of America/Alabama), the Liberty’s Learning Foundation 2022 Super Citizen Award, and the Governor of Alabama VFW Veteran of the Year 2022 award.