President Obama nominated Wolfenbarger on Feb. 6.
Wolfenbarger, a 1976 graduate of Beavercreek High School, will succeed Gen. Donald J. Hoffman, who is retiring. She’s already well familiar with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base — she served as Hoffman’s vice commander from December 2009 until September 2011. Wolfenbarger is currently assigned to the Pentagon as military deputy in the office of assistant Air Force secretary for acquisition. She joined the Air Force in 1980, and was in the first class of the Air Force Academy that included women among its graduates.
Air Force Materiel Command oversees nine bases including Wright-Patterson, where the command has its headquarters. The command employs about 83,000 people and manages $60 billion annually in research, development, test and evaluation programs and develops, procures and maintains Air Force aircraft and weapons programs.
As a four-star general Wolfenbarger appears to be the second female four-star general in military history. Army Gen. Ann Dunwoody, the head of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, was promoted to her rank in 2008.
Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, applauded her confirmation.
“The men and women of the U.S. Air Force have relied on the experience and courage of General Wolfenbarger,” Brown said. “With roots in the Miami Valley, she has shown strong leadership and an eagerness to serve throughout her career. I’m humbled to congratulate Gen. Wolfenbarger for this well-deserved promotion and proud that the Air Force’s first female four-star general was born in Ohio, raised in Ohio, and will serve in Ohio as the commander of the Air Force Materiel Command in Ohio.”
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