Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, the commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington, D.C., on July 19, 2012, as part of the confirmation process to serve as the 20th Air Force Chief of Staff. If confirmed, Welsh will replace Gen. Norton Schwartz, who retires Aug. 10. Additional witnesses before the committee were Lt. Gen. John F. Kelly, U.S. Marine Corps, who is nominated to the rank of general and to take command of U.S. Southern Command, and Lt. Gen. Frank Grass, Army National Guard, also nominated for the rank of general and for appointment as the Chief of the National Guard Bureau. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)