JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Chief Master Sgt. David R. Wolfe became the Pacific Air Forces Command Chief on September 30.
With a combined 16 years in the Indo-Pacific, a region covering 60 percent of the world’s population, Wolfe is no stranger to the role Airmen play in executing the PACAF mission.
“Working in the Pacific affords our Airmen to work side-by-side with our partners and allies to include joint forces within this vast region,” said Wolfe. “When you look at the Indo-Pacific region the strength of our forces is the ability to build relationships and move forward as a team.”
Gen. Ken Wilsbach, PACAF commander, is motivated by the leadership and experience Wolfe brings to this diverse region of 36 nations.
“Chief Wolfe is a true professional. He is an outstanding wingman and Airman who cares deeply for the Airmen and families in PACAF,” said Wilsbach. “I am excited to work alongside Chief and to see how he will use his experience and knowledge of the region to better help all of our Airmen and get the mission done.”
In nearly 30 years of military service, Wolfe has developed core values about taking care of people and executing the mission, influencing his vision for 48,000 PACAF Airmen.
“While we depend on technology and weapons systems to execute the mission, our Airmen and families are the heart of our organization,” said Wolfe. “Diverse minds working together inspires innovation and empowers capable leaders.”
The Indo-Pacific region has personal significance to Wolfe: his father, an Army Air Corps combat photographer, was assigned to the Far East Air Forces during World War II, and documented the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, on Aug. 9, 1945. Wolfe’s father gave him an invaluable perspective on serving in the Pacific.
“My father was amongst the first Airmen in our service when the Army Air Corps became the U.S. Air Force,” said Wolfe. “His legacy in Far East Air Forces, and later with 5th Air Force makes this a special place for me and my family.”