New planes, ready fleet a focus as Wilsbach takes charge of Air Force
By Stephen Losey
Nov 18, 2025, 05:09 PM
New Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach on Tuesday pledged to focus on modernizing the service’s fleet, improving the readiness of both its aircraft and airmen and strengthening how well it works with other services and allies.
“Being able to deliver [airpower] when called upon demands a constant focus on readiness,” Wilsbach said during the assumption of responsibilities ceremony at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. “Airmen or aircraft that are not ready to fight undermines our ability to win. Restoring reliability across all aspects of our force, from trained combat formations to better aircraft availability, is vital.”
The Senate confirmed Wilsbach to be the service’s 24th chief of staff Oct. 30. He was sworn in by Air Force Secretary Troy Meink on Nov. 3. Wilsbach succeeds Gen. David Allvin, who did not attend the ceremony.
Wilsbach pointed to the U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June, known as Operation Midnight Hammer, as an example of the Air Force’s ability to deliver decisive airpower. But he stressed that maintaining readiness is critical for ensuring the service can provide those capabilities when needed.
https://www.militarytimes.com/air/2025/11/18/new-planes-ready-fleet-a-focus-as-wilsbach-takes-charge-of-air-force/
