A native of Beavercreek is now the first female four-star general of the United States Air Force.
General Janet Wolfenbarger’s promotion is a result of her assuming command of the Air Force’s material unit at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base during a ceremony held earlier today (Tuesday).
Wolfenbarger takes over for retiring Gen. Donald Hoffman, who served for 42 years.
In a press release, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz expresses confidence in Wolfenbarger’s leadership, calling her, “an extraordinary public servant and a model Air Force officer.”
Wolferbarger credits her accomplishments with the Air Force’s culture of diversity, and promises that she will give her “absolute best effort” as the Air Force’s Material Commander.
Wolfenbarger joined the Air Force in 1980, after graduation from the Air Force Academy, the first class to include women. She’s held a number of assignments at Wright Patterson Air Force during her career. In 2009, Wolfenbarger went from Major General to Lieutenant General in less than 6 months.
The Beavercreek High School graduate now oversees a staff of about 81,000 and manages a budget of about $60B.
