Two retired generals inducted into Wisconsin ANG Hall of Fame

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ryan Roth
  • 115th Fighter Wing
MADISON, Wis. --  Retired Maj. Gen. Fred R. Sloan and Maj. Gen. Albert H. Wilkening were inducted into the Wisconsin Air National Guard Hall of Fame during a September 31 ceremony at the 115th Fighter Wing in Madison.

"The Hall of Fame is for those who have gone above and beyond what was expected of them," said Brig. Gen. John McCoy, the commander of the WIANG.

The WIANG Hall of Fame was established on June 15, 1982, to honor the special contributions of ANG members make to the overall success of their mission. Any retired member, enlisted or officer, is eligible to be nominated for this prestigious recognition three years after separation or retirement.

Wilkening was the 56th and Sloan was the 57th inductee into the Hall of Fame.

Sloan began his military career by enlisting in the WIANG in 1971. He was commissioned the same year after graduating from the inaugural ANG Officer Preparatory Academy and headed to Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, for undergraduate pilot training. He has served in a variety of operational, staff, and command positions, including wing commander. In 2003 he was the WIANG assistant adjutant general and then later took a position as air combat command, Langley AFB, Virginia. He was a command pilot with more than 6,000 flying hours in the C-131, T-33, T-37, T-38, F-102, O-2A, A-37, A-10 and F-16C aircraft.

Wilkening enlisted in the USAF in 1968 and was commissioned a second lieutenant on March 28 of that year. Following pilot training at Webb AFB, Texas, he served as a flight training instructor at Columbus AFB, Miss., until May, 1973. In August, 1973, he joined the WIANG. He has served in a variety of command and staff positions, including 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 WIANG. He was named adjutant general by Gov. 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.

Other guests in attendance at the ceremony were Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, the adjutant general of Wis., Brig. Gen. Joseph Brandemuehl, 115th FW commander, and many other military members, special guests and family.

"The Hall of Fame induction is about the mark you left and continue to leave on this organization," said McCoy. "These inductees truly are the best of the best."