Air Force chief of staff and chief master sergeant join Air University’s PCTT panel

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Wolfe visited Maxwell Air Force Base on Jan. 29 to address new wing and group command teams during Air University’s Pre-Command Team Training, marking the first time the service’s top officer and senior enlisted leader have taken part in the course. They were accompanied by their spouses, Mrs. Cindy Wilsbach and Dr. Doniel Wolfe.

Across sessions hosted by Air University’s Ira C. Eaker Center for Professional Development, the leaders shared perspectives on readiness, modernization, warrior culture and quality-of-life initiatives, aligning incoming commanders and senior enlisted leaders with current service priorities.

“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.”

The command team underscored that every Airman, regardless of specialty, contributes to generating airpower for the joint force, and called on leaders to strengthen family readiness, invest in leader development and ensure Airmen know they are foundational to mission success.

“What I love most about this job is empowerment, and that’s what General 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 prepares wing, group and other command teams — including commanders, senior enlisted leaders and often their spouses — for upcoming leadership roles, providing shared baseline knowledge and expectations before they assume command.

During a spouse panel with Maxwell AFB leaders and their partners, Mrs. Wilsbach and Dr. Wolfe highlighted the central role of military families in unit cohesion and effectiveness. “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 visit concluded with an emphasis on the standards of Air Force warrior culture — technical excellence, accountability and pride in the profession — and a reminder that measures such as aircraft availability, aircrew proficiency and the capacity to generate combat power at scale underpin the service’s credibility.