HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David Wolfe, accompanied by their spouses, Mrs. Cindy Wilsbach and Dr. Doniel Wolfe, visited Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Sept. 2, 2026.
Wilsbach and Wolfe met with AFSOC leaders and Air Commandos to experience how the command provides responsive, flexible options to support national objectives. The engagements focused on AFSOC’s ability to meet today’s complex operational requirements while rapidly investing in tomorrow’s readiness through modernization.
“AFSOC’s value to both the Air Force and the Joint Force lies in our ability to provide specialized, adaptable, and lethal options across the spectrum – from homeland defense to counterterrorism, and strategic deterrence,” said Lt. Gen. Mike Conley, AFSOC commander. “Our Air Commandos are uniquely skilled, constantly adapting and driving modernization in an era of complex operations, ensuring we remain ready to win tonight and in tomorrow’s fights."
Through tours and immersive briefings, Wilsbach and Wolfe gained deeper insight into AFSOC initiatives like Adaptive Airborne Enterprise and Enhanced Precision Effects. These programs highlight how AFSOC leverages unconventional capabilities to ensure the Air Force maintains its strategic advantage.
The duo also met with an AC-130J Ghostrider aircrew, whose primary missions include close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. They had the chance to fly the gunship and get first-hand experience during a live-fire demonstration.
“It was a rewarding opportunity to fly with AFSOC warriors and execute a live fire mission,” Wilsbach said. “I learned a lot from the crew and the gunship is quite impressive!”
To further engage directly with the Air Commandos, Wilsbach and Wolfe held an installation-wide all-call where they noted AFSOC’s mission focus and warrior spirit. They reinforced that every Airman contributes directly to generating airpower, from security forces Airmen defending the base, medics working in the hospital to maintainers who are fixing the aircraft.
“When you fly and fix, you get reps and sets and create deterrent value,” Wilsbach said. “And adversaries realize… they're pretty good at what they do—let’s not have a fight with them…that’s the ultimate outcome.”
Wilsbach tied repetition in training directly to combat credibility, emphasizing that realistic practice develops the proficiency required to deter adversaries and to prevail if deterrence fails.
“Combat is the purest form of meritocracy, and second place is dead last -- the reps and sets matter,” Wilsbach said.
Using college football as an analogy, Wilsbach compared supervisors to coaches responsible for developing their teams through practice, teaching and mentorship. Just as teams repeatedly run plays before game day, he said Airmen must be given opportunities to train, make mistakes, receive coaching and improve before they are called to perform under combat conditions.
The leaders also stressed that readiness extends beyond aircraft, weapons systems and training. Airmen and their families provide the foundation that makes sustained combat capability possible, reinforcing U.S. Special Operations Command's first special operations forces truth: Humans are more important than hardware.
“Airmen are entitled to excellent leadership,” said Wolfe. “If you are a supervisor or commander, you have a solemn responsibility to make the quality of life and service as high as it possibly can be for Airmen and families.”
Wilsbach acknowledged AFSOC’s demanding operational tempo and asked all-call members who had deployed in the last year to raise their hand. He emphasized the responsibility leaders have to remain connected with Airmen and their families, particularly during deployments. Sustaining the force at home, he noted, directly contributes to its ability to remain ready when called.
That focus continued through engagements led by Mrs. Cindy Wilsbach and Dr. Doniel Wolfe, who accompanied the Air Force’s senior leaders during the visit. They gained insight into the Preservation of the Force and Family program, which embeds specialized professionals with units to strengthen human performance across physical, psychological, cognitive, social and spiritual domains.
Mrs. Wilsbach and Dr. Wolfe also met with community leaders who support Air Commandos and their families throughout the Hurlburt Field area. The engagement highlighted the role installation-community partnerships play in addressing quality-of-life challenges that can affect Airmen, families and ultimately, force readiness.
The visit connected the Air Force’s enterprise priorities to the work occurring every day at Hurlburt Field and across AFSOC: generating ready forces, developing and fielding relevant capabilities, strengthening warrior culture, and sustaining the Airmen and families behind the mission.