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General Wilson steps up to lead 'The Mighty Eighth'

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brian Stives
  • Eighth Air Force Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Brig. Gen. Stephen W. Wilson assumed command of Air Force Global Strike Command's Eighth Air Force at historic Hoban Hall here June 3.

At the same ceremony, General Wilson also became commander of the Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike of U.S. Strategic Command, headquartered at Offutt AFB, Neb.

Navy Vice Adm. Cecil D. Haney, Strategic Command's deputy commander, and Lt. Gen. James Kowalski, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, presided.

After accepting the Eight Air Force guidon from General Kowalski, General Wilson addressed the audience and the formation of nearly 100 Eighth Air Force Airmen.

"I can't even begin to tell you how thrilled and honored I am to stand here before you," he said. "Since its inception 1942, there is no more legendary or storied numbered air force in our history -- with leaders with names like Eaker, Spaatz, Doolittle, Harris, Carlson, Elder and Carpenter."

"In today's uncertain world, Eighth Air Force, Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike and Task Force 204 play a prominent role in our national security," the general said.

General Wilson's most recent a position was deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He is a 1981 graduate of Texas A&M University and has directed combat forces in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

General Wilson is a command pilot with more than 4,500 flying hours and 680 combat hours.

Eighth Air Force falls under Air Force Global Strike Command, supports U.S. Joint Forces Command, and is designated as U.S. Strategic Command's Task Force 204, providing on-alert, combat-ready forces to the president. Eighth Air Force controls long-range nuclear-capable B-2 and B-52 bombers for conventional operations and nuclear deterrence.