# Albert H. Wilkening

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

* US Air Force Command Pilot Badge
Personal decorations :
| | Legion of Merit |
| | Meritorious Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster |
| | Air Force Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster |
| | Army Commendation Medal |
| | Air Force Achievement Medal |
| Unit awards ||
| | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three bronze oak leaf clusters |
| | Air Force Organizational Excellence Award |
| Service awards ||
| | Combat Readiness Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters |
| Campaign and service medals ||
| | National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars |
| Service, training, and marksmanship awards ||
| | Air Force Longevity Service Award with four bronze oak leaf clusters |
| | Armed Forces Reserve Medal with gold hourglass |
| | 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 :
| Rank | Date |
| Major General | 28 January 2004 |
| Brigadier General | 12 August 1992 |
| Colonel | 27 June 1989 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | 16 November 1984 |
| Major | 4 November 1978 |
| Captain | 28 March 1971 |
| First Lieutenant | 28 September 1969 |
| Second Lieutenant | 28 March 1968 |