Gen. Stephen Wilson on July 22 received his fourth star and was promoted to be the Air Force’s 39th vice chief during a ceremony at Offutt AFB, Neb. Wilson previously served as deputy commander of US Strategic Command and before that as commander of Air Force Global Strike Commander. He is a command pilot with more than 4,500 flying hours in aircraft such as the B-1 and B-52, including 680 combat hours. “We are truly going to try … and be great representatives of our airmen and their families and all our joint service partners as we help the Chief lead our Air Force in the 21st Century,” Wilson said at the ceremony, according to an Air Force release.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.