Captain Briell Zweygardt is the Director of Public Affairs at the 190th Air Refueling Wing, Forbes Field Air National Guard Base, Topeka, Kansas. She leads a dynamic public affairs team responsible for managing the 190th ARW's social media presence, crafting internal and external news stories, fostering community engagement, executing crisis communication strategies, and safeguarding the wing's public image. Her team provides vital communication support to over 1,000 Airmen assigned to the 190th ARW, a KC-135 Stratotanker unit delivering crucial air refueling capabilities worldwide.
Capt. Zweygardt enlisted in the United States Air Force in December 2011, completing Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, Texas, where she served as an Air Transportation Journeyman. In 2017, she transferred to the 184th Wing, McConnell AFB, Kansas, and earned her commission through Officer Training School in November 2018. Prior to her current assignment, Capt. Zweygardt served as the Director of Public Affairs for the 184th Wing, honing her skills in media relations, community outreach, and strategic communication. In November 2021, Capt. Zweygardt returned to the 190th Air Refueling Wing to assume her current role as Director of Public Affairs. Since then, she has implemented innovative communication strategies that have increased the wing’s social media presence while also creating a self-help space for content creation & developing a digital continuity binder for training and consistency. She is a strong advocate for mothers in the military and created multiple furnished mother’s rooms, providing a safe and comfortable space for nursing/pumping moms. Her advocacy for military mothers also led to the consolidation of resources regarding benefits and rights for pregnant and nursing service members.
EDUCATION
2015 Airman Leadership School, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Louisville, Tenn.
2017 Bachelor of Science, Entrepreneurship, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan.
2017 Associate in Applied Science, Transportation, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. by correspondence
2018 Total Force Officer Training, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2022 Contemporary Base Issues Course, Topeka, Kan.
2025 ARCWERX Innovation Workshop, Wichita, Kan.
ASSIGNMENTS
- Month December 2011 – November 2017, Air Transportation Journeyman, 190th Air Refueling Wing, Forbes Field ANGB, Kan.
- November 2017 – November 2021, Director of Public Affairs, 184th Wing, McConnell AFB, Kan.
- November 2018 – November 2021, Public Affairs Specialist, The Adjutant General’s Department, Forbes Field ANGB, Kan.
- November 2021 – Current, Director of Public Affairs, 190th ARW, Forbes Field ANGB, Kan.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air and Space Longevity Service Award with two oak leaf clusters
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
Air and Space Training Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
Kansas National Guard Service Medal with device
Kansas Emergency Duty Service Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2018 Distinguished Graduate, Total Force Officer Training
2018 Non-Commissioned Officer Award, Total Force Officer Training
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic December 1, 2011
Airman November 29, 2012
Airman 1st Class June 5, 2013
Senior Airman June 18, 2014
Staff Sergeant December 1, 2015
Second Lieutenant November 16, 2018
First Lieutenant November 16, 2020
Captain November 16, 2022
(Current as of May 2025)