General Welch, USAF (retired) is the president and CEO of the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA). He served as a senior fellow at IDA from 2003-2006. He is the former chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force. During his 38 years in the Air Force, General Welch served in operational and staff assignments in training organizations and tactical fighter units worldwide. He received his M.S. in international relations from George Washington University and is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College and National War College.