Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Wolfe, accompanied by their wives, Mrs. Cindy Wilsbach and Dr. Doniel Wolfe, visited Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, to provide senior leader perspectives to new Wing and Group command teams and their spouses during Air University’s Pre-Command Team Training Jan. 29.
This visit marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time the CSAF and CMSAF have participated in PCTT, hosted by Air University’s Ira C. Eaker Center for Professional Development. They shared key leadership insights on readiness, modernization, fostering warrior culture and quality of life initiatives, while reinforcing current Department of the Air Force and Department of War priorities with future command teams.
“The Air Force is a commander driven organization,” Wilsbach said. “The responsibility of command, especially at the wing level, is immense. Thank you for being willing to serve and lead Airmen, you have the most important job in our Air Force.”
Every Airman these future leaders command, no matter their specialty, contributes to the generation of airpower to support the Joint fight. During their visit here, the CSAF and CMSAF command team emphasized supporting family readiness, developing leaders and ensuring every Airman knows they are the bedrock of U.S. Air Force success.
“What I love most about this job is empowerment, and that’s what Gen. Wilsbach has done for me,” Wolfe said. “He has taken some of his command power and handed it to me with trust and respect, to do things that I know are in line with his commander’s intent. We have the opportunity now to swing a pretty sizable bat on your behalf, to try to make your life better and the lives of your Airmen better.”
The PCTT course is designed to prepare Wing, Group, and other command team members—including commanders, senior enlisted leaders and often their spouses—for their upcoming leadership roles. The course equips attendees with leadership knowledge and skills needed for effective command, ensuring they’re aligned with Air Force expectations before they assume command positions.
During a spouse’s panel with Maxwell AFB leadership and their spouses, Mrs. Wilsbach and Dr. Wolfe conveyed that the Air Force’s strength comes from the Airmen who serve, and the families who support them.
“We’ve learned a lot along the way… how we build a team, how we build relationships within that team, and how important spouses are in that process,” said Mrs. Wilsbach. “At almost every opportunity we have, you’ll hear us honoring families. We are so grateful to spouses who are here, for the role that you play, for every moment that you give–you have no idea how powerful that is.”
The CSAF and CMSAF command team concluded the event by emphasizing Air Force warrior culture, and its standards - technical excellence, accountability and pride in its profession. Aircraft availability, aircrew proficiency and the ability to generate combat power on a scale are not just metrics; they are the measure of the Air Force’s credibility as a fighting force.