Larry D. Welch | |
|---|---|
_General_(GEN)_Larry_D._Welch_(uncovered)_(cropped).jpg) General Larry D. Welch | |
| Born | June 9, 1934 Guymon, Oklahoma |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1951–1990 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force Ninth Air Force |
| Battles / wars | Vietnam War Cold War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2) Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal (7) |
| Other work | Rumsfeld Commission President, Institute for Defense Analyses Board of Directors, Henry L. Stimson Center |
General Larry D. Welch (born June 9, 1934) is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who served as the 12th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. As Chief of Staff, he served as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of a combined active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian force serving at locations in the United States and overseas. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he and the other service chiefs functioned as the principal military advisers to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and the President. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Nuclear Weapon Surety Task Force for the Defense Science Board.