Maj Michael Zbonack

Major Zbonack was born in Tucson, Arizona. He graduated from the University of Arizona and was commissioned into the Marine Corps in 2012. After completing The Basic School, he reported to Marine Air Support Squadron 1 (MASS-1) as an Air Support Control Officer. While a member of MASS-1, Major Zbonack served in various assignments, including Squadron Legal Officer, and earned Tactical Air Director, Helicopter Director, and Senior Air Director qualifications within the Direct Air Support Center. In 2015, he deployed to the Republic of Georgia in support of NATO exercise Agile Spirit, where he served as an Air Support Element Officer in Charge attached to 10th Marines.

In July 2017, Major Zbonack reported to the Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) in Quantico, VA, and graduated in May of 2018. He was then selected on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Marine Corps Recruiting Command Company Grade Selection Board and assigned to the Recruiting Station Indianapolis, 9th Marine Corps District, where he served as the Executive Officer for 36 months.

Following his selection on the FY 2021 Field Accession Board, Major Zbonack reported to the 558th Flight Training Squadron aboard Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio. There, he completed Initial Flight Training, Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Instrument Qualification Training, and RPA Fundamentals Training, being designated an Unmanned Aerial Systems Officer in April of 2022. In June 2022, Major Zbonack reported to the 29th Attack Squadron for MQ-9A Initial Qualification Training (IQT) aboard Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. Following IQT graduation in October of 2022, he reported to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU-3), where he served as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Executive Officer during VMU-3's initial deployment to the First Island Chain.

In August of 2025, Major Zbonack reported to his present assignment at the Pentagon as a member of the Cunningham Group, HQMC Aviation, serving as the Unmanned Aerial Systems Future Concepts subject matter expert. Major Zbonack has flown operational missions in multiple combatant commands and holds an Unmanned Aircraft Commander designation and Basic Instructor Pilot qualification in the MQ-9A. His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), and the Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon.