Trump Nominates Gen. Wilsbach as Next Air Force Chief of Staff

‘I intend to strengthen our warrior ethos and to build a more lethal force that is always ready to defend our homeland,’ Wilsbach said.

Gen. Ken Wilsbach (L), Pacific Air Forces commander, and Lt. Gen. Scott Pleus, 7th AF commander, chat before a flight at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, on Nov. 3, 2022. Senior Airman Megan Estrada/U.S. Air Force

President Donald Trump has nominated Gen. Kenneth “Cruiser” Wilsbach, 61, to serve as the Air Force’s next chief of staff, the military branch said in a Sept. 29 statement.

If confirmed, the four-star general and experienced fighter pilot, who has flown 71 combat missions over his career, will be the 24th chief of staff of the Air Force. The position opened after Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, 62, announced in August that he would be retiring early once a replacement is confirmed.

Wilsbach, who had recently commanded Air Combat Command, where he was focused on troop modernization and readiness, announced in August that he also planned to retire.

As Air Force chief of staff, Wilsbach would be responsible for leading the military branch, and training and equipping its 689,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian forces who are serving domestically and abroad.

“I’m deeply honored by the nomination to serve as the next Air Force chief of staff. The trust and confidence placed in me is not something I take lightly,” Wilsbach said in a statement.

“If confirmed, I intend to strengthen our warrior ethos and to build a more lethal force that is always ready to defend our homeland and deter our adversaries around the world. Cindy and I have always prioritized the needs of our Airmen and their families, and we remain committed to advocating for them in this position.”

The Air Force chief of staff is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and acts as a military adviser to the Pentagon, the National Security Council, and the commander in chief.

The nomination was submitted to the Senate on Sept. 29 and referred to the Senate Committee on Armed Services.

Pacific Theater

Wilsbach has served nearly four decades of active-duty service, most recently in the Pacific theater, which the Trump administration has identified as its priority theater for furthering U.S. values and freedom through its “peace through strength” policy.

The Trump administration said this decision was made in response to the global ambitions of communist China, which has already threatened liberal democracies such as Taiwan and the Philippines, which are U.S. allies in the region, as well as others around the world.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a Sept. 9 statement that War Secretary Pete Hegseth has made it clear that the United States “does not seek conflict with China nor is it pursuing regime change or strangulation of the PRC,” using the abbreviation of the communist regime’s official name, the People’s Republic of China.

“At the same time, however, he forthrightly relayed that the U.S. has vital interests in the Asia-Pacific, the priority theater, and will resolutely protect those interests,” Parnell added.

Wilsbach is well recognized among U.S. allies across the Pacific, having in recent years led efforts to strengthen U.S. military cooperation with partners such as Japan, South Korea, and Australia.

As commander of Pacific Air Forces from 2020 to 2024, a time of unprecedented military expansion by China’s ruling Chinese Communist Party, Wilsbach led the United States’ front-line air component. Before this, from 2018, he served as deputy commander of U.S. forces in South Korea.

From 2016, he served as commander of U.S. Northern Command’s Alaska branch. He also served as director of operations at U.S. Central Command from 2014–2016.

Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin speaks with civic leaders from communities near Hill Air Force Base, Utah, during a meeting at the Pentagon on June 21, 2023. Eric Dietrich/U.S. Air Force via AP

Allvin congratulated Wilsbach on the nomination.

“I congratulate General Wilsbach on his nomination to be our next Chief of Staff,” he said. “I wish him all the best and trust that he will continue the momentum and advocate for the best interests of our Airmen, today’s readiness, and modernizing our force for the future fight.”

Allvin’s retirement ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 10.

The Air & Space Forces Association also congratulated Wilsbach on his nomination.

“General Wilsbach’s demonstrated leadership at every level, strategic vision, and extensive experience in the Pacific theater, as well as his command of Air Combat Command and Pacific Air Forces, are ideal preparation for this important assignment,” AFA President & CEO Lt. Gen. Burt Field, USAF (Ret.) said.

“Now, more than ever, the Air Force needs bold and innovative leadership as it modernizes in response to growing threats around the globe, and especially in the Indo-Pacific region. We urge Congress to move swiftly in confirming General Wilsbach to be Chief of Staff of the Air Force.”

Dorothy Li contributed to this report.