Kenneth Wilsbach (Kenneth Wilsbach), currently the commander of the Air Force Command of the US Indo-Pacific Headquarters, has the rank of general. The 59-year-old Wilsbach not only has the experience of serving as a commander at the fighter squadron, brigade, wing, and air force, but also has the experience of holding important positions in large organizations such as the Central Headquarters Air Force Command and the former Pacific Headquarters. There is no doubt about his experience and joint combat command ability. As the four-star general who has participated in the most battles in active service, he is even known as “the most capable four-star general”. At the same time, Wilsbach has many years of service experience in the Indo-Pacific theater and is very familiar with the Indo-Pacific battlefield environment. Under his leadership, the US Pacific Air Force may make the already intricate Indo-Pacific region even more treacherous. .
Kenneth Wellsbach himself
Wellsbach, a super-scholar who was born as a super pilot, joined the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps when he was studying broadcasting and communication at the University of Florida. After graduating in 1985, he was transferred to active duty and was awarded the rank of second lieutenant in November of the same year. In 1986, Wilsbach was certified as a fighter pilot at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, as an outstanding cadet; from July 1987 to May 1996, he served in the 94th Tactical Air Force at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. Fighter Squadron, 84th Test Squadron, Yandel Air Force Base, Florida, and 44th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Force Base, Japan served as flight instructors. As of the last flight in 2018, Wilsbach has accumulated more than 5,000 hours of flight time, and the pilot models include T-37, T-38, F-16C, F-15A/D, MC-12W, F-22A , is an out-and-out ace super pilot. From 1997 to 2003, Wilsbach successively obtained a master’s degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval Command and Staff College, and a master’s degree in national security strategy from the Armed Forces Industrial College of the U.S. National Defense University, etc. 3 master’s degrees, its strong learning ability and self-motivation can be seen. With the gradual transformation of the post to staff and command, Wilsbach also participated in several training courses on combat command and administrative management during the intervals between his follow-up duties, laying a solid foundation for his excellent comprehensive capabilities.
Actual combat commanders who have been stationed overseas all the year round Judging from their performance experience, Wilsbach, who has been in the army for 37 years, has served in the Air Force outside the United States all the year round, and has traveled all over Alaska, Hawaii, Afghanistan, Japan, and South Korea. From July 1993 when he served as a flight instructor at the 44th Fighter Squadron of Kadena Air Force Base in Japan to July 2020 when he became the supreme commander of the Air Force in the US Indo-Pacific Theater, Wilsbach spent 21 years in the Indo-Pacific Serving in various forward positions in the theater, it can be said that he is quite familiar with the environment of the Indo-Pacific battlefield. Judging from actual combat experience, Wilsbach has 71 combat records and 260 hours of combat flight, especially as a pilot, he has carried out 31 flight missions in “Operation Southern Watch” and “Operation Northern Watch”. From April 2013 to April 2014, Wilsbach was sent to Afghanistan as the commander of the 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force, deputy commander of the US Air Force in Afghanistan, and deputy chief of staff of the NATO International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Three Air and Space Expeditionary Wings and two Air Force Expeditionary Groups assist in coordinating the air and space forces of the US military and NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan to achieve optimal integration during Operation Enduring Freedom. In July 2022, former US Air Force Chief of Staff General David Goldfein (David Goldfein) said at the inauguration ceremony of Wilsbach: “Wilsbach has rich combat experience and excellent joint combat command capabilities. I believe that under his leadership, the Pacific Air Force will be able to attack tonight.” It fully demonstrates the high affirmation of the US Air Force’s senior management for Wilsbach’s operational command capabilities.
Kenneth Willsbach
Kenneth Wellsbach and his trip
Since serving as the commander of the Air Force Command of the Indo-Pacific Headquarters, Wilsbach has continued to promote the verification and practice of operational concepts such as dynamic force deployment and agile combat deployment of the US military in the Indo-Pacific region. The idea of ”prioritizing the improvement of combat readiness and response capabilities, and strengthening cooperation with allies” emphasized in the report is basically consistent.
Attach importance to equipment upgrades, and focus on strengthening and improving combat readiness. After taking office, Wilsbach spared no effort to promote the purchase of the E-7 wedge-tail early warning aircraft produced by Boeing to replace the E-3 Sentinel early warning aircraft in active service. Wilsbach believes that the E-3 early warning aircraft equipped by the US-India Space Force is seriously aging and is often in a state of being unable to perform missions. In order to exert effective combat power in the confrontation with the J-20 or similar stealth platforms, in order to continue to maintain air superiority in the Indo-Pacific region, it is necessary to deploy early warning aircraft that can quickly enter service and fill short-term needs. It is reported that there are currently 31 E-3 early warning aircraft still in service. The U.S. Air Force has clearly proposed a plan to abolish the E-3 early warning aircraft fleet in the 2023 fiscal year budget, and at the same time set aside funds for the procurement and deployment of the E-7 type. AWACS. As a super pilot with experience in piloting multiple types of fighter jets, Wellsbach has an absolute say on the performance of the fighter jets currently deployed by the U.S. Air Force in the Indo-Pacific theater. Wilsbach once said that F-15EX fighter jets may be used to replace F-15C fighter jets in the future. The conformal fuel tanks equipped with F-15EX fighter jets can enable them to stay in the air for a long time without relying on tankers, and In addition to carrying a large number of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, it can also carry long-range hypersonic weapons. In addition, Wilsbach believes that the US-India Space Force needs to supplement a large number of tankers, long-range fighter jets and long-range missiles, especially hypersonic missiles, and at the same time strengthen Guam’s missile defense capabilities.
