General Ken Wilsbach assumes U.S. Air Force leadership with pledge to sustain readiness and air superiority

The ceremony was presided over by Department of the Air Force Secretary Troy Meink, with Gen Dan Caine and elected officials also in attendance. Wilsbach reflected on the service’s record of excellence but said improvements were needed to meet today’s adversaries.

He said he was guided by the examples of predecessors whom he described as “titans of military aviation, true advocates of the value of air power that dreamt up and then built the greatest, most powerful Air Force the world has ever seen.” Wilsbach added that “it is truly humbling to have a chance to follow in their footsteps.”

Wilsbach said his mandate was to ensure that “when the nation calls, we will respond and deliver decisive combat power.” He underlined the chief of staff’s duty to keep the force trained, ready and equipped for any mission at any time.

He said readiness was a “core” obligation for the 665,000 Airmen and civilians, adding that every mission must be achievable whenever required. Meink echoed that message, stressing the need to maintain excellence in a turbulent future.

Meink said the chief of staff must set a vision that reacts to the “rapidly changing character of war” before those changes take effect. He noted that “the chief of staff is responsible for a vision, for understanding the rapidly changing character of war and responding to it before those changes occur.”

Meink said adaptation must outpace potential enemies not only in technology but in operations, maintenance and training. He added that “Cruiser is the leader we need, and I’m excited to be working with him for the next few years,” using Wilsbach’s call sign.

Wilsbach was nominated in September by President Donald Trump and previously led Air Combat Command at Joint Base Langley Eustis in Virginia. He succeeds Gen David Allvin and now joins the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Meink also thanked Allvin, saying “The Air Force is in a much better place because of his leadership.” The ceremony further highlighted recent operational success as an example of the standards Wilsbach aims to maintain.

Wilsbach pointed to Operation Midnight Hammer, during which seven B 2 bombers supported by more than 125 US aircraft struck three nuclear production facilities in Iran on 21 and 22 June. He said “The world watched as our Airmen demonstrated the determination and ingenuity to quickly and effectively neutralize targets in the heart of Iran.”

He added that “This consequential operation, Operation Midnight Hammer, enabled by one of our great asymmetric advantages, our allies and partners, was the driving factor in ending the war” between Israel and Iran. He said the mission showed the broader significance of readiness.

“Operations like this one remind us of our core responsibility as Airmen to stay ready, credible, and capable every single day,” Wilsbach said. He added that “Our main purpose has never changed: we fly and fix aircraft to fight and win our nation’s wars.”

Wilsbach said the Air Force’s advantage relies on a “constant focus on readiness” which must be protected. He added that “Airmen or aircraft not ready to fight undermines our ability as a nation to win” and said that restoring reliability across the force is vital.

He said modern weapons, tactics and training were also essential to maintain superiority. Wilsbach added that accelerating acquisition timelines for systems such as the F 47, CCA and B 21 would ensure the service stays at the forefront of combat aviation.

Senior leaders expressed confidence in his ability to lead during a challenging period. Meink said “Deterrence only works when we prove to the entire world, day in and day out, messing with us is a bad idea. While General Wilsbach has the stick, I don’t think that will be an issue.”

Source: U.S. Air Force (press release).