CSAF visits D-M

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III shakes hands with Staff Sgt. Matthew Rompca, 355th Fighter Wing protocol as Betty Welsh looks on, upon arriving at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 25, 2015. During his visit to D-M, Welsh and his wife, Betty, met with Airmen from 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern), 355th Fighter Wing, the 309th AMARG and additional tenet units. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz/released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
CSAF visits D-M

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and his wife, Betty, speak to Dr. Bryan Foulk, DM50 member and Lt. Gen. Mark Nowland, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander, during a social gathering in Tucson, Ariz., March 24, 2015. The DM50 and civic leaders attended the event to welcome the Welsh's. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz/released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
CSAF visits D-M

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Master Sgt. Matthew Garcia, 55th Rescue Squadron special mission aviator, pose for a photo after a medal presentation at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 25, 2015. Welsh presented Garcia with the Soldier?s Medal for his act of heroism that saved the lives of two pilots who were injured after landing their helicopter on an improvised explosive device. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Chris Drzazgowski/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
CSAF visits D-M

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III speaks to Airmen during an all-call at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 25, 2015. More than 800 Airmen attended the all-call where Welsh thanked them for their continued service and dedication. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Chris Drzazgowski/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
CSAF visits D-M

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III speaks to Airmen during an all-call at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 25, 2015. During the all-call, Welsh emphasized that no matter what their job entails, each individual Airman is critical to the Air Force mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Chris Drzazgowski/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
CSAF visits D-M

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III is saluted by Senior Airman Erin Litchfield, 55th Electronic Combat Group acquisition operator, after presenting her with his coin at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 25, 2015. Welsh coined five superstars during a mission brief and thanked Airmen for their service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cheyenne Morigeau/released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
CSAF visits D-M

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III spoke to Airmen of the 354th Fighter Squadron during a visit at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 25, 2015. Welsh thanked Airmen for their continued service and dedication, and addressed issues concerning Airmen and their families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cheyenne Morigeau/released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
CSAF visits D-M

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III addresses the Desert Lightning Team during an all-call at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 25, 2015. During his visit to D-M, Welsh received a mission brief, spoke with Airmen from the 354th Fighter Squadron about the future of the Air Force, attended a lunch with 12 Air Force (Air Forces Southern), 355th Fighter Wing, and additional tenant unit commanders and Airmen, held an all-call, and took a tour of the AMARG. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cheyenne Morigeau/released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
CSAF visits D-M

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III shakes hands with Tommy Bledsoe, 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group business affairs representative while Col. Margaret Romero, 309th AMARG commander looks on at the Walls of Balad exhibit at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 25, 2015. The Walls of Balad are signed by thousands of patients, service members and visitors of Joint Base Balad hospital, Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cheyenne Morigeau/released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
CSAF visits D-M

Betty Welsh, spouse of Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, Kari Meger, wife of 355th FW Commander James Meger, and Kristan Nowland, wife of 12th Air Force(Air Force?s Southern) Commander Chris Nowland, listen to a briefing about The Loft from Airman 1st Class Cristina Eck, The Loft president, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 25, 2015. Welsh accompanied her husband to D-M to see the mission first hand, thank Airmen for their continued service and dedication, and discuss challenges and opportunities for Airmen and their families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Chris Massey/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
CSAF visits D-M

Betty Welsh, wife of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, discusses the importance of key spouses with commanders, first sergeants and spouses at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 25, 2015. Welsh thanked Airmen for their continued service and dedication and addressed issues concerning Airmen and their families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chris Massey/released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

CSAF visits D-M

Published March 27, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Chris Drzazgowski
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III visited Davis-Monthan Air Force Base March 25.

Welsh made stops at several organizations including the 355th Fighter Wing, the 354th Fighter Squadron, the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group and also held an all-call at the 755th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron hangar.

During the all-call, Welsh presented Master Sgt. Matthew Garcia, 55th Rescue Squadron special mission aviator, with the Soldier's medal for his act of heroism that saved the lives of two pilots who were injured after landing their helicopter on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.

Following the medal presentation, Welsh spoke to more than 800 Airmen in attendance about the importance of watching out for each other, how each individual Airman is critical to the Air Force mission and thanked Airmen and their families for their service.

"I get the privilege of traveling all over the world to meet Airmen and seeing what they do everywhere," Welsh said. "And I'll tell you, they're great everywhere."