In a significant move, President Donald Trump has nominated a soon-to-be-retired four-star general to step into the role of chief of staff for the Air Force. The announcement came on September 30th, adding to the entries of leadership changes within the military branch.
Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, famed for his flying skills on aircraft like the F-15, F-16, and F-22, was recently in charge of the Air Combat Command, a key component of the Air Force overseeing over 1,600 planes and 155,000 military personnel. He performed these duties until his retirement in August.
This nomination marks the second time Trump has called a retired general back to active duty for a significant position; General Dan Caine previously transitioned from retirement to actively lead the Joint Chiefs of Staff. However, luckily for Wilsbach, since he has been on leave before officially exiting, he won’t be required to return to active duty.
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Looking into Wilsbach’s career, he previously had command over U.S. air operations in the Pacific, played a part as deputy commander for UN and U.S. forces in South Korea, and oversaw the U.S. Central Command’s responses to ISIS from 2014 to 2016 as the center’s operations chief.
If confirmed, he will take over the top position from Gen. David Allvin, who unexpectedly announced his early retirement just two years into his intended term, amidst efforts to modify the Air Force’s operational frameworks.
Wilsbach’s appointment follows a selection process where he stood out against some competitors, including Gen. Thomas Bussiere, previously in charge of the service’s nuclear weapons and strategic bomber operations. Bussiere’s nomination was withdrawn in August before his retirement on October 1.
While finishing his last days at the Air Combat Command, Wilsbach took steps to enforce regulations, conducting a crackdown on grooming standards and uniform compliance. His initiatives align closely with the current policies held by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
In his official statement, Wilsbach stressed his intention as chief to “strengthen our warrior ethos and forge a more capable force ready to defend our home and deter threats globally.” He acknowledged the needs of the Airmen as a top priority for him and his family.
Interestingly, Wilsbach’s wife, Cynthia, is in the public eye too; she has served as part of Trump’s White House communications wing across both of his presidential terms.
Notably, as observed in a report to Congress from July, Cynthia held a significant role in presidential correspondence during that time, following previous similar work in Trump’s first term. The White House confirmed receipt of inquiries from USA TODAY regarding her status but refrained from additional comments.
For Wilsbach to officially take up his appointment, approval will be required from both the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate at large.
This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Trump Appoints Retiring Fighter Pilot Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach as Air Force Chief
