Flying Suit
Chief of Staff -USAF Fighter pilot

General Welch was born June 9, 1934 in Guymon, Oklahoma. He enlisted in the Kansas National Guard in October 1951, serving with the 161st Armored Field Artillery until he enlisted in the United States Air Force.

He entered the aviation cadet program and received his pilot wings and commission as a Second Lieutenant (1953). He served initially as a flight instructor until his assignment to Headquarters Air Training Command, Texas (1958).

General Welch then served in tactical fighter units in Europe, the continental United States and Alaska before transferring to the Republic of Vietnam where he flew combat missions in F-4C Phantom IIs over North and South Vietnam, and Laos.

After completing the Armed Forces Staff College (1967), he was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., under the assistant chief of staff for studies and analysis.

Upon graduation from the National War College, he served in wing deputy commander for operations Tactical Air Command as vice commander and wing commander positions (1972); Headquarters Tactical Air Command as inspector general, deputy chief of staff for plans and deputy chief of staff for operations (1977); commander of the Ninth Air Force and Air Force component commander for the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force(1981); deputy chief of staff for programs and resources at Air Force headquarters (1982); vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force (1984); commander in chief, Strategic Air Command, and director, Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska (1985-1986).

He became Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force in July 1986. Welch is one of only two modern service chiefs to have risen from enlisted rank to his service's highest position. T

he general is a command pilot with more than 6,500 flying hours. His military decorations and awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (1oak leaf cluster), Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (1 oak leaf cluster), Legion of Merit (1oak leaf cluster), Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (six oak leaf clusters), Air Force Commendation Medal (two oak leaf clusters), Joint Meritorious Unit Award and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device (two oak leaf clusters).

He retired July 1, 1990.