Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, and Lt. Gen. Scott Pleus, 7th AF commander, converse before a flight at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 4, 2022. As PACAF commander, Wilsbach oversees Air Force activities spread over half the globe in a command that supports more than 46,000 Airmen serving principally in Japan, South Korea, Hawaii, Alaska and Guam. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Megan Estrada) ()
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea — Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, visited Team Osan for an immersion tour, Nov. 4, 2022. He received a first-hand look at the innovations being made to the base's vehicles and infrastructure to improve Osan's capabilities.
One of the main innovations Wilsbach saw was the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle that has been modified to be a mobile operations center (MOC) for the wing.
“The MRAP was not delivered as a form-fit function vehicle that can do the [MOC] job,” said Wilsbach. “The Airmen made it [better] by purchasing and installing equipment, then creating the tactics, techniques and procedures for it. Junior Airmen are solving problems and are developing equipment to solve challenges here at Osan.”
He also had an opportunity to meet with command teams who demonstrated their ability to effectively support base defense efforts and discuss how their group and squadrons’ missions can further PACAF goals.
Wilsbach spoke on being thankful for the innovative spirit of Airmen as well as their supervisors, chiefs and commanders for giving their Airmen the resources they need to execute the mission, supporting them to be unique, and helping them to implement cutting-edge ideas.
“I love the ‘fight tonight’ attitude of Airmen who serve on the peninsula,” said Wilsbach. “They understand that when you come to Korea you’re going to work hard. They’ve embraced the innovative requirements. Seventh Air Force and the 51st Fighter Wing have really embodied that, and that’s very encouraging to me.”
