Peace Garden News

General Kenneth Wilsbach has been nominated to serve as the next Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, according to an announcement from the Air Force. Wilsbach previously led Air Combat Command and is a veteran fighter pilot.

Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), who chairs the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee, commented on the nomination: “I know Ken Wilsbach pretty well, and I can’t think of a more competent, better prepared, and experienced General to lead the Air Force as its Chief of Staff than General Wilsbach. His experience as a fighter pilot and his background in leadership of the Air Force and the Pacific uniquely qualifies him for the current geopolitical fight we’re in. Certainly, his command of Air Combat Command makes him well aware of North Dakota’s assets and committed to North Dakota’s assets. He is the right man at the right time for the job, and I’m grateful to the President for choosing him. I could not be more pleased with an announcement than I am with this announcement. I look forward to doing everything I can on the Armed Services Committee and on the Airland Subcommittee as its leader to get him confirmed as quickly as possible.”

General Wilsbach recently visited Grand Forks Air Force Base with Senator Cramer to discuss quality of life issues at the base, ongoing intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance capabilities, developments within the Space Development Agency, and other future missions. They also met with personnel at the North Dakota Air National Guard in Fargo.

If confirmed by the Senate, General Wilsbach will become the 24th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. In this role he will oversee organization, training, and equipping for approximately 689,000 active-duty members, Guardsmen, Reservists, and civilian employees both domestically and overseas. The position includes serving on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and acting as a military adviser to senior national security leaders including the Secretary of War, National Security Council members, and the President.

Wilsbach's nomination now moves forward for Senate consideration. He would succeed General David Allvin upon confirmation; Allvin plans to retire after his successor is approved.