Senate confirms General Welsh as next Air Force chief of staff

News > Senate confirms General Welsh as next Air Force chief of staff

Photos


Gen. Mark A. Welsh III 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. The Senate approved Welsh's nomination Aug. 2, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)
Download HiRes

Senate confirms General Welsh as next Air Force chief of staff

Posted 8/2/2012 Updated 8/3/2012

Email story Print story

8/2/2012 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, a 36-year veteran, will be the twentieth Air Force chief of staff, according to a Senate confirmation vote Aug. 2.

Welsh provided testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee July 19, before the full Senate voted on his confirmation. Now the president must appoint the general before he can assume his new position.

"I fully accept the responsibility to stand beside Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and lead the 690,000 active, Guard, Reserve and civilian Airmen who selflessly serve our nation as part of an unbeatable joint team," Welsh said.

Pending the president's appointment, Welsh, who served as the U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, will assume the position of Air Force chief of staff from Gen. Norton Schwartz in a ceremony Aug. 10.

In his previous position, Welsh's command was responsible for Air Force activities, conducted through 3rd Air Force, in an area of operations covering almost one-fifth of the globe. This area includes 51 countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and the Arctic and Atlantic oceans with a total population reaching nearly one billion people speaking more than 80 languages. He also had administrative control of U.S. Air Forces Africa, providing support, logistics and resources to U.S. Africa Command.

Welsh entered the Air Force in June 1976 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has been assigned to numerous operational, command and staff positions during his career.

Comments

9/6/2012 1:51:01 PM ET
Outstanding decision

Jim Davis, USAFA

8/10/2012 5:58:52 PM ET
Congrats General Welsh !Looking forward to seeing all the great things you have planned for us.

ACF, Kirtland AFB

8/10/2012 1:20:26 PM ET
What a great win for the AF Gen Welsh is a phenomenal leader who truly cares for his people. I had the extreme privilege to spend a week travelling with him and watching him in action down range recently and thought that surely his reputation and personable demeanor must be a role or at least an effort for someone at this level. I couldnt have been more wronghes the real deal.Looking forward to serving under his tenurewe couldnt have asked for a better boss.

Col R, Randolph AFB TX

8/9/2012 4:09:23 PM ET
The finest Wing Commander I ever had. He was my Wolf at Kunsan AB in 1997. I know that he will lead the Air Force in the right direction.

LR, Pearl Harbor

8/9/2012 10:43:21 AM ET
The AF got this one right

Mike, Barksdale

8/9/2012 9:44:22 AM ET
This is great news for the USAF. General Welsh is an absolutely phenomenal leader dedicated to making the AF and our people. It was an honor to serve under him in USAFE and will be an honor to serve under him as our AF Chief of Staff.

Chief, Peterson

8/7/2012 3:53:58 PM ET
General Welsh was my Wing Commander at Kunsan AB Korea. As a Senior NCO I took refuge in the fact that he could balance the mission with the needs and concerns of those who worked for him. General Welsh has his hands full in this new job but I know what he is made of the Air Force is in great hands

Cyndi and Frank, Scott AFB

8/7/2012 1:53:09 AM ET
Congrats General WELSH

LJA, OK

8/6/2012 3:41:59 PM ET
Congratulations on an outstanding achievement

James Ticknor, Shaw AFB SC

8/4/2012 2:49:29 PM ET
Congrats to General Welsch...this is a smart move for our Air Force. AMS.

Angie Spink, Ramstein

8/3/2012 1:06:57 PM ET
Awesome decision

Mag, MacDill

Add a comment