General Kevin B Schneider officially became the new US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) commander on 9 February 2024 at a ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii.
Gen Schneider succeeded General Ken Wilsbach, who commanded PACAF from July 2020 as the third-longest-tenured commander in PACAF’s nearly 80-year history.
Presiding over the change in command, US Air Force Chief of Staff General David W Allvin stated, “We are committed to maintaining a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, but our pacing challenge consistently threatens regional interests, negatively impacting security, sovereignty, and prosperity. I know Gen Schneider assumes command with his eyes wide open to this contrasting strategic approach and I know he will continue to propel the PACAF team forward to meet the challenges of the future.”
Gen Schneider returns to the Indo-Pacific having spent 12 years of his nearly 36-year career in the region, most recently serving in theatre as the US Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force commander from February 2019 to August 2021.
As the 37th COMPACAF, Gen Schneider oversees 46,000 USAF personnel across the Indo-Pacific — serving principally in Japan, South Korea, Hawaii, Alaska and Guam — spread across nine major US Air Force (USAF) installations and three Numbered Air Forces.
The region accounts for nearly 60% of global gross domestic product, two-thirds of global economic growth, five of the world’s nuclear powers, and seven of the 10 largest militaries.
Speaking on his appointment, Gen Schneider stated, “The actions we take to ensure stability and deter aggression in the face of multiple growing challenges will have far-reaching and long-lasting impacts, but we do not do this work alone. The allied and partner air forces we team with in the Indo-Pacific grow stronger and more capable each day.
“This is a time of great consequence for the air force and the nation, and much is resting on the shoulders of PACAF Airmen,” the general added.
Gen Wilsbach departed the Pacific after devoting more than 20 years of leadership and service in the region. At the end of February he will become the Air Combat Command commander at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
