Welsh Sworn in as Chief of Staff

Aug. 10, 2012

Gen. Mark Welsh became the Air Force’s 20th Chief of Staff during a ceremony at JB Andrews, Md., on Aug. 10. Air Force Secretary Michael Donley swore in Welsh at 11:56 a.m. US East Coast time. “Today, being sworn in as the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, I just feel humble,” Welsh told the assembled airmen and guests after assuming command. “No one has been more proud to be your Chief of Staff, and it’s about time I get to work.” Welsh replaced Gen. Norton Schwartz, who served as Chief of Staff since August 2008 and is retiring from the Air Force after 39 years in uniform.

Related Content

House, Senate Unveil Competing Proposals for 2026 Budget

July 11, 2025
Lawmakers from the House and Senate laid out competing versions of the annual defense policy bill on July 11, with vastly different potential outcomes for some of the Air Force’s most embattled programs. 

Iranian Ballistic Missile Hit US Air Base in Qatar in June, Pentagon Reveals

July 11, 2025
An Iranian ballistic missile struck Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar during Iran’s attack on the base June 23, the Pentagon told Air & Space Forces Magazine July 11. Defense officials have touted the success of U.S. and Qatari Patriot anti-missile systems in blunting the missile attack that Iran launched at…

USAF Moves F-16s from Japan to Korea, Clearing Way for F-35s

July 11, 2025
The Air Force permanently transferred F-16 fighter jets from Misawa Air Base in Japan to Osan Air Base in South Korea late last month, the next step in its transition to base F-35s in Japan. The move continues a modernization...