Thomas Palenske
Republican · KS
Thomas Palenske is a retired Air Force brigadier general and special operations pilot who commanded two wings over nearly four decades of service and now runs a small startup business. His priorities include capping property taxes and cutting government waste.
Where Thomas Palenske stands, based on their records
Supports
Environment and Public Health (2 records), Government Efficiency (1 record), Public Infrastructure (1 record)
Track record
Track record — Environment and Public Health
Environment and Public Health · 2 support
Started the Andersen Village Fruit Tree Project with local partners and planted its first tree at the base.
July 29, 2024Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: andersen.af.mil
As 1st Special Operations Wing commander, announced a soil management plan for demolition of military housing where old termite pesticides remained in the ground.
April 6, 2017Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: hurlburt.af.mil
Track record — Government Efficiency
Government Efficiency · 1 support
Streamlined training requirements at the 1st Special Operations Wing, allowing airmen to advance more quickly through skill qualifications.
May 2, 2018Supports Government Efficiency
Source: podchaser.com
Track record — Public Infrastructure
Public Infrastructure · 1 support
Directed an Air Force engineering squadron to assess and repair Andersen Air Force Base’s communications infrastructure.
July 11, 2024Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: andersen.af.mil
Track record — General
General · 9 records
Received the Kansas Farm Bureau VOTE FBF endorsement for Kansas House District 121.
June 30, 2026
Source: kfb.org
Relinquished command of the 36th Wing at his retirement ceremony and received a Guam governor’s award for humanitarian service.
May 22, 2025
Source: andersen.af.mil
Helped host an inaugural marksmanship competition joining military branches and Guam police at Andersen Air Force Base.
November 22, 2024
Source: 165aw.ang.af.mil
Signed a military-family housing policy requiring eligible service members to accept available on-base housing, with stated exceptions.
June 18, 2024
Source: andersen.af.mil
Took command of the Air Force’s 36th Wing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
June 30, 2023
Source: dvidshub.net
Served as director of the new Air Force Special Warfare directorate as it consolidated career-field management for special warfare airmen.
December 13, 2019
Source: afrc.af.mil
Took command of the Air Force’s 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field.
June 10, 2016
Source: hurlburt.af.mil
Helped organize a 1st Special Operations Wing flight day that gave more than 300 military spouses a firsthand view of their families’ missions.
October 17, 2015
Source: hurlburt.af.mil
Piloted an MH-53 helicopter in the May 1999 combat rescue of downed Air Force pilot David Goldfein over Serbia.
May 2, 1999
Source: afsoc.af.mil
Past race Thomas Palenske ran in:
- State Representative, Kansas House District 121 · November 3, 2026 · State House District 121; Kansas