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CSAF Immersion at JBSA Highlights Training Modernization, Force Readiness

  • Published
  • By Christa D'Andrea
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas --  

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach addressed more than 3,000 parents, friends and families of newly minted Airmen April 23, during their graduation ceremony held in the Airman’s Arena at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach waves to attendees during a Basic Military Training graduation ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, April 23, 2026. Wilsbach presided over the ceremony after engaging with military training instructors and the service’s newest Airmen throughout a multi-day visit.

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach waves to attendees during a Basic Military Training graduation ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, April 23, 2026. Wilsbach presided over the ceremony after engaging with military training instructors and the service’s newest Airmen throughout a multi-day visit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jonathan R. Mallard)
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“Today is a proud moment. You have earned the title ‘Airman.’ That title is not given lightly. It carries responsibility, expectation and trust,” Wilsbach stated just moments after the graduates received their coveted Airman’s coin.

 

In his first visit to Basic Military Training and the 37th Training Wing, Wilsbach not only served as the reviewing official for the graduating class of 787 Airmen, but also spent time congratulating the top graduate, Airman 1st Class Lucas Estes, and his family.

“It was an absolute honor to serve as the reviewing official and usher in our newest Airmen this week,” Wilsbach noted. “I also had the opportunity to meet the MTIs and MTLs who prepare trainees to become Airmen, shape our enlisted force and ultimately build the next generation of warfighters.”

The visit was part of a two-day comprehensive immersion to assess training and family support programs, meet Military Training Instructors, leaders and staff, as well as observe training ongoing at the Special Warfare Training Wing, located at JBSA-Chapman Annex.

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach flies the T-7A Red Hawk on a Ground-Based Training System during his Joint Base San Antonio immersion tour at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, April 22, 2026. Wilsbach are touring the 12th Flying Training Wing during his JBSA tour to examine the Wing’s capabilities to contribute to the generation of airpower and to empower Airmen to innovate.

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach flies the T-7A Red Hawk on a Ground-Based Training System during his Joint Base San Antonio immersion tour at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, April 22, 2026. Wilsbach are touring the 12th Flying Training Wing during his JBSA tour to examine the Wing’s capabilities to contribute to the generation of airpower and to empower Airmen to innovate. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean Worrell)
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Shifting focus to the future of the flying mission at JBSA-Randolph, Wilsbach received a hands-on look at the Air Force’s newest trainer aircraft, the T-7A Red Hawk. He first experienced the advanced Ground Based Training System, testing the high-fidelity simulators that form the backbone of the T-7’s integrated training environment. Transitioning from the virtual environment to the cockpit, Wilsbach then took to the skies in a T-7A aircraft to evaluate its flight performance firsthand. He also met with 12th Flying Training Wing leadership to discuss how the Red Hawk will replace the aging T-38 Talon fleet. Briefers from the 99th Flying Training Squadron emphasized how the T-7A Red Hawk modernizes the pilot training pipeline, preparing students for the high-end demands of fifth-generation aircraft.

Cindy Wilsbach, wife of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach, gathers with Key Support Liaisons during a luncheon at the Parr Club, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, April 22, 2026. The lunch provided an opportunity to discuss community support programs and the vital role of volunteers in supporting military families.

Cindy Wilsbach, wife of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach, gathers with Key Support Liaisons during a luncheon at the Parr Club, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, April 22, 2026. The lunch provided an opportunity to discuss community support programs and the vital role of volunteers in supporting military families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kathryn R.C. Reaves)
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Meanwhile, Mrs. Cindy Wilsbach had an independent schedule that focused on family readiness. Her visit included addressing Key Spouse Leaders’ concerns regarding base housing and quality of life initiatives. She, alongside Mrs. Wendy Quinn, spouse of Lt. Gen. Clark Quinn, commander of Air Education and Training Command, also received an in-depth briefing about the human performance initiatives ongoing at SWTW, to include nutrition and exercise regimes, and visited the 341st Training Squadron to see Military Working Dogs in action.
The previous week, Wilsbach had visited Vance and Altus Air Force Bases in Oklahoma. He said that visit, combined with his visit to JBSA, has provided him with a clear sight-picture that everything AETC does, from recruiting and training to education, is driven with readiness in mind.

“The visits this week and last provided an extensive look into how we are developing our force,” said Wilsbach. “What stood out is the attitude, enthusiasm and caliber of our trainers, instructor pilots, special warfare cadre and students making it clear that our Airmen get a great start in AETC.”


This visit underscored that the ultimate guarantor of airpower is the relentless focus on advancing and accelerating training, and the commitment to the Airmen and families who execute the mission.

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach is greeted by Lt. Gen. Clark Quinn, commander of Air Education and Training Command, and Chief Master Sgt. Chad Bickley, AETC command chief at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, April 23, 2026. Wilsbach and his wife, Mrs. Cindy Wilsbach, visited several organizations within JBSA for a comprehensive immersion into The First Command.

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U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach is greeted by Lt. Gen. Clark Quinn, commander of Air Education and Training Command, and Chief Master Sgt. Chad Bickley, AETC command chief at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, April 23, 2026. Wilsbach and his wife, Mrs. Cindy Wilsbach, visited several organizations within JBSA for a comprehensive immersion into The First Command. (U.S. photo by Nicholas Delapena)
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U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach, center, poses for a photo with military training instructors following Basic Military Training graduation at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, April 23, 2026. More than 787 Airmen graduated, completing 7 1/2 weeks of training.

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U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach, center, poses for a photo with military training instructors following Basic Military Training graduation at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, April 23, 2026. More than 787 Airmen graduated, completing 7 1/2 weeks of training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jonathan R. Mallard)
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Stephen Dobronski, Boeing flight simulator design engineer, briefs Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach on the capacities of the T-7A Red Hawk Ground-Based Training System during Wilsbach’s Joint Base San Antonio immersion tour at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, April 22, 2026. Wilsbach is touring the 12th Flying Training Wing during his JBSA tour to examine the Wing’s capabilities to contribute to the generation of airpower and to empower Airmen to innovate.

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Stephen Dobronski, Boeing flight simulator design engineer, briefs Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach on the capacities of the T-7A Red Hawk Ground-Based Training System during Wilsbach’s Joint Base San Antonio immersion tour at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, April 22, 2026. Wilsbach is touring the 12th Flying Training Wing during his JBSA tour to examine the Wing’s capabilities to contribute to the generation of airpower and to empower Airmen to innovate. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean Worrell)
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