{"id":16790,"date":"2019-06-14T20:12:42","date_gmt":"2019-06-14T20:12:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/06\/14\/19th-air-force-key-training-unit-gets-new-commander\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:27:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:27:20","slug":"19th-air-force-key-training-unit-gets-new-commander","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2019\/06\/14\/19th-air-force-key-training-unit-gets-new-commander\/","title":{"rendered":"19th Air Force, key training unit, gets new commander"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Maj. Gen. Craig Wills took command of the 19th Air Force<\/a> at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph in Texas Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air Education and Training Command head Lt. Gen. Steve Kwast passed the guidon to Wills in a change-of-command ceremony. Wills now oversees the 19 training locations<\/a> of the 19th Air Force, which include 11 active-duty wings<\/a>, one Air Force Reserve unit, and five Air National Guard units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wills \u201chas a history of being a great warrior,\u201d Kwast said. \u201cHe is a dreamer, a visionary, a man who knows the priority of family first. You are going to see him take all of this great effort and take it to the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his first remarks as commander of the 19th, Wills said it needs to innovate and find new ways to accomplish its mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo preserve our republic and protect our citizens, we need to get the future faster,\u201d Wills said. \u201cThe old ways of the past won\u2019t work and the men and women of the 19th Air Force know this. History will also show that 19th Air Force will be equal to the moment and superior to the task. America is counting on us, so let\u2019s get to work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wills succeeds Maj. Gen. Patrick Doherty, who will next become director of plans, programs and requirements at Air Combat Command headquarters at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 19th Air Force oversees the training of more than 32,000 troops \u2014 not only from the U.S., but also allied militaries \u2014 in a variety of skill sets, including future pilots of manned and unmanned aircraft, air battle managers, weapons directors, and survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists. Members of the 19th also oversee airmanship programs at the Air Force Academy.<\/p>\n\n\n\t