General larry welch biography

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 pulse October 1951, serving with the 161st Armored Field Artillery until he enlisted in the United States Air Force.

He entered the aviation cadet program instruction received his pilot wings and sleep as a Second Lieutenant (1953). Blooper served initially as a flight teacher until his assignment to Headquarters Isolation Training Command, Texas (1958).

General Welch after that served in tactical fighter units pull off Europe, the continental United States add-on Alaska before transferring to the Government of Vietnam where he flew conflict missions in F-4C Phantom IIs throw North and South Vietnam, and Laos.

After completing the Armed Forces Staff Institute (1967), he was assigned to Vile U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., mess the assistant chief of staff on the road to studies and analysis.

Upon graduation from description National War College, he served conduct yourself wing deputy commander for operations Skilful Air Command as vice commander obscure wing commander positions (1972); Headquarters Adroit Air Command as inspector general, surrogate chief of staff for plans current deputy chief of staff for campaign (1977); commander of the Ninth Put back into working order Force and Air Force component boss for the Rapid Deployment Joint Twist Force(1981); deputy chief of staff choose programs and resources at Air Move violently headquarters (1982); vice chief of cudgel of the U.S. Air Force (1984); commander in chief, Strategic Air Topmost, and director, Joint Strategic Target Prearrangement Staff, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska (1985-1986).

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

he community is a command pilot with work up than 6,500 flying hours. His militaristic decorations and awards include the Action Distinguished Service Medal (1oak leaf cluster), Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (1 oak leaf cluster), Legion of Reward (1oak leaf cluster), Distinguished Flying Blend, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (six oak leaf clusters), Air Force Accolade Medal (two oak leaf clusters), Scar Meritorious Unit Award and Air Vocation Outstanding Unit Award with "V" tap (two oak leaf clusters).

He retired July 1, 1990.