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Major General

Albert H. Wilkening
Major General Albert H. Wilkening
Born (1946-02-01)February 1, 1946
Freeport, New York, U.S.
Died April 8, 2020(2020-04-08) (aged 74)
Brooklyn, Wisconsin, U.S.
Allegiance United States United States
Service/branch Air National Guard Flag.jpg Air National Guard
Years of service 1968–2007
Rank US-O8 insignia.svg Major General
Commands held
  • Wisconsin Air National Guard
  • Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs
Awards See below

Major General Albert H. Wilkening (February 1, 1946 – April 8, 2020) was the adjutant general of Wisconsin from 2002 to 2007, when he was succeeded by Donald P. Dunbar. He was responsible for both the federal and state missions of the Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard and the Wisconsin Division of Emergency Management. In March 2003 Wilkening was appointed by Governor Jim Doyle to head a new Homeland Security Council in Wisconsin and to be the governor's homeland security advisor. He died of pancreatic cancer in 2020, at the age of 74.

Military career

Wilkening enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1968 and was commissioned a second lieutenant on March 28 of that year. Following pilot training at Webb Air Force Base, Texas, he served as a flight training instructor at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi until May, 1973. In August, 1973, he joined the Wisconsin Air National Guard. He has served in a variety of command and staff positions, including as commander of the 176th Tactical Fighter Squadron and deputy commander for Operations, 128th Tactical Fighter Wing. From December, 1990 to August, 2002, he served as deputy adjutant general for air, and commander of the Wisconsin Air National Guard. He was named adjutant general by Governor Scott McCallum and assumed office on September 1, 2002. Wilkening was a command pilot with more than 3,300 flying hours in the T-41, T-37, T-38, O-2A, OA-37, and A-10 aircraft.

Education

  • 1967 Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, Long Island University, New York
  • 1973 Masters Degree in Guidance Counseling and Personnel, Mississippi State University, Mississippi
  • 1976 Squadron Officer School
  • 1979 Air Command and Staff College
  • 1989 National Security Management Course

Flight information

  • Rating: Command Pilot
  • Flight Hours: more than 3,300
  • Aircraft Flown: T-41, T-37, T-38, O-2A, OA-37, A-10

Awards and decorations

COMMAND PILOT WINGS.png US Air Force Command Pilot Badge
Personal decorations
Width-44 crimson ribbon with a pair of width-2 white stripes on the edges Legion of Merit
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Width-44 crimson ribbon with two width-8 white stripes at distance 4 from the edges.
 Meritorious Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster
Width-44 myrtle green ribbon with width-3 white stripes at the edges and five width-1 stripes down the center; the central white stripes are width-2 apart Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Unit awards
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Service awards
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Combat Readiness Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Campaign and service medals
Bronze star
Bronze star
Width=44 scarlet ribbon with a central width-4 golden yellow stripe, flanked by pairs of width-1 scarlet, white, Old Glory blue, and white stripes
 National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars
Service, training, and marksmanship awards
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Longevity Service Award with four bronze oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with gold hourglass
Bronze star
 Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one bronze service star
Air Force Training Ribbon

Other achievements

Board of directors, National Guard Association

Effective dates of promotion

Promotions
Insignia Rank Date
US-O8 insignia.svg Major General 28 January 2004
US-O7 insignia.svg Brigadier General 12 August 1992
US-O6 insignia.svg Colonel 27 June 1989
US-O5 insignia.svg Lieutenant Colonel 16 November 1984
US-O4 insignia.svg Major 4 November 1978
US-O3 insignia.svg Captain 28 March 1971
US-OF1A.svg First Lieutenant 28 September 1969
US-OF1B.svg Second Lieutenant 28 March 1968
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