GENERAL LARRY D. WELCH, U.S. AIR FORCE (RETIRED)
General Welch is President, Institute for Defense Analyses. Prior to retiring from the United States Air Force, he served as the 12th Chief of Staff. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science degree in international relations from The George Washington University. The general completed Armed Forces Staff College and National War College. He enlisted in the Kansas National Guard in 1951, serving with the 161st Armored Field Artillery until he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He entered the aviation cadet program and received his pilot wings and commission as a second lieutenant. He served initially as a flight instructor until his assignment to Headquarters Air Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. 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's over North and South Vietnam, and Laos. After completing the Armed Forces Staff College, he was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force. Upon graduation from the National War College, he was assigned to Tactical Air Command, where he served in wing deputy commander for operations, vice commander and wing commander positions. He transferred to Headquarters Tactical Air Command where he served as inspector general, deputy chief of staff for plans and deputy chief of staff for operations. He became commander of the 9th Air Force and Air Force component commander for the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force. The General was assigned as deputy chief of staff for programs and resources at Air Force headquarters and became vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force. He then served as commander in chief, Strategic Air Command, and director, Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.