Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee during the hearing on his nomination to be Air Force chief of staff on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Washington. The Senate confirmed his nomination on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday confirmed Air Force Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach as the service’s next top officer and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Wilsbach will succeed Gen. David Allvin, who unexpectedly announced he would retire as Air Force chief of staff in November, halfway through his four-year term.

Wilsbach had also planned to retire when he stepped down from his role as head of Air Force Combat Command in August but told lawmakers he received a call to continue his service.

“After much reflection and prayer, I said yes because I love this country, and I love the Air Force,” Wilsbach told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing earlier this month.

A career fighter pilot, Wilsbach logged 6,000 flying hours in aircraft such as the F-22, F-15 and F-16 and has flown more than 70 combat missions. Before heading Air Combat Command, which ensures airmen and aircraft are prepared for combat, Wilsbach led U.S. Air Forces in the Pacific.

His promotion to the Air Force’s top officer post ends a period of uncertainty for the service since Allvin’s retirement announcement in August.

Allvin is the third member of the Joint Chiefs to leave or be dismissed early since President Donald Trump began his second term in January. The Air Force’s vice chief of staff was fired in February.

Wilsbach is expected to assume his new role in the coming days.