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 Kadena Air Base Oct. 21, to assess operational readiness and engage with Airmen projecting airpower across the Pacific.
Wilsbach, a fighter pilot with more than 6,200 flying hours, took the controls of an F-22 Raptor, gaining firsthand insight into the readiness, maintenance and operational demands of airpower in a contested environment.
Wolfe, flew aboard an HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue helicopter to observe personnel recovery training and survey key operational sites across Okinawa supporting joint and bilateral missions.
The senior leaders received mission briefs from the 18th Wing and 353rd Special Operations Wing on Kadena's role in rapid contingency response and joint and bilateral operations. They also received updates on the 67th Fighter Squadron's transition to the F-15EX Eagle II, a modernization effort that will expand the installation's long-term airpower capabilities. Beyond flightline operations, the delegation focused heavily on base infrastructure and quality of life for service members and their families.
"We have to win, it's all the more reason why we ought to be doing hard things together as units," said Wilsbach. "You gotta work for it. Every single day, in constant improvement, and when it doesn't go well - which invariably it will not, the supervisors and commanders teach, coach and mentor."
Wilsbach and Wolfe addressed the base during an all-call, emphasizing force modernization and the vital role of deterrence driven by every airman of every specialty. The session allowed senior leaders to engage directly with Airmen, answer questions and discuss the strategic challenges and opportunities shaping today's Air Force.
Wilsbach and Wolfe also reviewed installation revitalization efforts while touring military family housing in Stearley Heights to assess civil engineer initiatives, as well as staffing and work-order resolution efforts.
In parallel engagements, Mrs. Cindy Wilsbach and Dr. Doniel Wolfe met with spouses and base agency representatives to examine essential community support priorities, including childcare availability, spouse employment opportunities, healthcare accessibility and housing improvements across Okinawa.
Wolfe met with senior noncommissioned officers and Airmen from across the installation to discuss professional development, standards and innovation.
"We want you to have an opportunity to be the best version of yourself," said Wolfe. "That baseline of physical fitness can really help you get there, especially over time. If you're not there right now, good news, you can get there.
"You can decide today that you're going to change some habits."
The visit coincided with exercise Keen Sword, a biennial bilateral exercise that strengthens interoperability between U.S. forces and the Japan Self-Defense Forces. The exercise gave Kadena Airmen an opportunity to demonstrate integrated air defense, rapid sortie generation and their ability to operate alongside allied and joint forces.
"Kadena is built for this mission, and we showcase that every day by generating combat power and providing critical deterrence in the Pacific," said Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, 18th Wing commander. "Our Airmen are the foundation of that capability, sustaining readiness and security in the region."
As Kadena moves through a period of modernization, the visit underscored the Airmen behind the mission: maintaining, adapting and fortifying the capabilities needed to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving security environment.
