Ken Wilsbach | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Born | c.1963 (age 60–61) |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1985–present |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Air Combat Command Pacific Air Forces Seventh Air Force Eleventh Air Force 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force 18th Wing 53rd Wing 33rd Operations Group 19th Fighter Squadron |
| Battles/wars | Operations Northern Watch Operation Southern Watch War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2) Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (3) |
Kenneth Stephen Wilsbach[1][2] (born c. 1963) is a United States Air Force general who serves as the commander of Air Combat Command. He previously served as the commander of Pacific Air Forces from 2020 to 2024.
Wilsbach was commissioned in 1985 as a distinguished graduate of the University of Florida's Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program, and earned his pilot wings in 1986 at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. He has commanded a fighter squadron, an operations group, and two wings, and has held various staff assignments including director of operations, Combined Air Operations Center, and director of operations, United States Central Command.
Wilsbach served as director of operations for Pacific Air Forces at the Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. From 2006 through 2008 he served as commander of the 53rd Wing at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.[3]
Wilsbach was promoted to the rank of brigadier general on 17 August 2009 and served as the commander of the 18th Wing at the Kadena Air Base, Japan.[4] He was the commander, 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force- Iraq; Commander-Air, U.S. Forces- Iraq; and Chief of Staff-Air, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command. He oversaw three air expeditionary air wings and three expeditionary groups consisting of more than 6,900 Airmen directly engaged in combat operations, and advised on joint expeditionary tasked/individual augmentee taskings in the Iraq combined joint operating area. Additionally, Wilsbach served as the Central Command Combined Forces Air Component Commander's personal representative to the commander of Headquarters ISAF as well as the Commander-Air to the Commander U.S. Forces- Iraq, ensuring the optimal integration of air and space power in support of Headquarters ISAF and Operation Enduring Freedom missions.
In June 2018, while serving as commander of the Eleventh Air Force, Wilsbach was nominated for reassignment as deputy commander of United States Forces Korea and commander of the Seventh Air Force.[5] In May 2020, Wilsbach was nominated for promotion to general and reassignment as commander, Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), and Air Component Commander for United States Indo-Pacific Command.[6][7]
In May 2023, Wilsbach was nominated for assignment as commander, Air Combat Command.[8]
Wilsbach has flown 71 combat missions in Operations Northern Watch, Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom.
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Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 5,000
Aircraft flown: F-16C, F-22A, MC-12W, F-15A-D, T-38, T-37.
|
US Air Force Command Pilot Badge |
| Insignia | Rank | Date |
|---|---|---|
|
General | 8 Jul 2020 |
|
Lieutenant General | 16 Aug 2016 |
|
Major General | 19 Apr 2013 |
|
Brigadier General | 17 Aug 2009 |
|
Colonel | 1 Jul 2004 |
|
Lieutenant Colonel | 1 Jul 1999 |
|
Major | 1 Dec 1995 |
|
Captain | 5 Sep 1989 |
|
First Lieutenant | 5 Sep 1987 |
|
Second Lieutenant | 18 Nov 1985 |
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