Hearings to examine the nomination of General Kenneth S. Wilsbach, USAF, for reappointment to the grade of general and to be Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

Armed Services Committee

2025-10-09

Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing on General Kenneth Wilsbach's nomination to serve as the next Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. The hearing focused on critical issues including fleet readiness, pilot retention, modernization of aircraft and systems, and the role of the Air Force in nuclear deterrence. General Wilsbach testified on his plans to address persistent aircraft unavailability, especially in the F-35 and KC-135 fleets, and emphasized the need for improved sustainment, increased flying hours for pilots, and expanded maintenance support. Key topics included the modernization of ISR capabilities, the balance between airborne and space-based surveillance, and the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades at bases like Sioux City and Alaska. The hearing also addressed concerns over the retirement of legacy platforms, the importance of maintaining a capable and ready Air National Guard, and the need to protect U.S. aerospace capabilities from Chinese and Russian competition. General Wilsbach reaffirmed his commitment to uphold military professionalism, resist political pressure, and ensure the Air Force remains a world-leading force in all domains, from air superiority to strategic deterrence.

Participants

Transcript

It's today to consider the nomination of General Kenneth Wilsbach to serve as the next Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.  We thank him and his family for their decades of service and their commitment to lead in this dangerous time.  The United States Air Force is a critical pillar of our joint force.  It is the most capable and lethal Air Force in history.   We saw their expertise on full display in this year's Operation Midnight Hammer.  This was a complex, high-risk strike package.  It was launched from long range, coordinated across multiple domains, and carried out with surgical precision.  With this operation, President Trump sent a clear message to our adversaries.  American air supremacy is unparalleled, and it has a global reach.   His long career of service, General Wilsbach, has supported that air supremacy.  The General brings deep operational experience and understands what it takes to lead in contested environments.  If confirmed, he must drive tough reforms and manage tight budgets.   He must speak plainly about the risks the force is resourcing and that it is inadequate.  I already mentioned Operation Midnight Hammer.  That operation demonstrated capability, but it was only a moment in time.  We need the Air Force Chief of Staff to make progress on our most challenging and enduring issues.  Among those are the ongoing pilot shortage.   modernization of our aging nuclear systems, the sustainment of our current aircraft fleet, and the expansion of our fighter refueling and cargo fleets.   As to fleet sustainment, we must all acknowledge the ongoing problem of aircraft availability.  The F-35 remains the most advanced fighter in the world, but too many of them are sitting idle on ramps.  The readiness rates of our aircraft continue to fall short of Pentagon goals.
This is known on this side of the ocean and around the world.  The force is plagued by persistent parts shortages.   long repair times, and sustainment costs that strain operational budgets.  The Air Force cannot project power if its most advanced fighter cannot get off the ground.  I look forward to hearing how General Wilsbach intends to address this.  This committee also recognizes the Air Force push to retire legacy platforms to fund modernization.   We need a realistic plan to address the readiness gaps created in the interim.  We need aircraft that fly.   bases that survive missile attacks, and logistics that support operations far from home.  That includes hardened infrastructure and prepositioned supplies.  It means we must ensure airmen are trained and equipped for austere, contested environments.  Some of the gaps in these capabilities have been created by an ill-advised divest-to-invest strategy.   And these gaps are unacceptable.  Lastly, this committee remains concerned by the slow pace of nuclear modernization.  China, Russia, and North Korea are rapidly expanding their arsenals, quickly eroding advantages we seek to retain.  Deterring nuclear aggression remains the department's top mission.   And the Air Force is the very tip of that spear.  I look forward to hearing how General Wilsbach intends to make these nuclear modernization programs a top priority.  And finally, none of this works without people.   Recruiting has begun to stabilize, but retention is the greater challenge.  The Air Force continues to face a consistent pilot shortage driven by limited flying hours and readiness shortfalls that keep pilots from flying.  Retaining pilots   maintenance and technical specialist requires sustained investment across the full lifecycle of an airman.
Service in the Air Force must be a first-choice career, not a fallback.   So thank you for being here.
Thank you for your willingness to serve, General Wilsbach.  And I turn to my friend and colleague, Ranking Member Reid.  Well, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
And good morning, General Wilsbach.

Sign up for free to see the full transcript

Accounts help us prevent bots from abusing our site. Accounts are free and will allow you to access the full transcript.

Sign up