Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, speaks during an all call July 8, 2014, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Welsh and his wife, Betty, visited to interact with Airmen and discuss the state of the Air Force as well as gaining a better understanding of the responsibilities of Ramstein. As the senior uniformed Air Force officer, he is responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 690,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. Prior to his current position, he was U.S. Air Forces in Europe Commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Michael Stuart)140708-F-LO037-059
                        
                        
                        Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, speaks during an all call July 8, 2014, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Welsh and his wife, Betty, visited to interact with Airmen and discuss the state of the Air Force as well as gaining a better understanding of the responsibilities of Ramstein. As the senior uniformed Air Force officer, he is responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 690,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. Prior to his current position, he was U.S. Air Forces in Europe Commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Michael Stuart)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, answers questions from an airman during an all-call July 8, 2014, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Welsh and his wife, Betty, visited to interact with Airmen and discuss the state of the Air Force as well as gaining a better understanding of the responsibilities of Team Ramstein. As the senior uniformed Air Force officer, he is responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 690,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. Prior to his current position, he was U.S. Air Forces in Europe Commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Michael Stuart)140708-F-LO037-057
                        
                        
                        Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, answers questions from an airman during an all-call July 8, 2014, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Welsh and his wife, Betty, visited to interact with Airmen and discuss the state of the Air Force as well as gaining a better understanding of the responsibilities of Team Ramstein. As the senior uniformed Air Force officer, he is responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 690,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. Prior to his current position, he was U.S. Air Forces in Europe Commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Michael Stuart)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, listens as Capt. Kyle Gauthier, 37th Airlift Sq. pilot, asks a question during a mission brief July 8, 2014, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Welsh and his wife, Betty, visited to interact with Airmen and discuss the state of the Air Force as well as gaining a better understanding of the responsibilities of Team Ramstein. As the senior uniformed Air Force officer, he is responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 690,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. Prior to his current position, he was U.S. Air Forces in Europe Commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Michael Stuart)140708-F-LO037-055
                        
                        
                        Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, listens as Capt. Kyle Gauthier, 37th Airlift Sq. pilot, asks a question during a mission brief July 8, 2014, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Welsh and his wife, Betty, visited to interact with Airmen and discuss the state of the Air Force as well as gaining a better understanding of the responsibilities of Team Ramstein. As the senior uniformed Air Force officer, he is responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 690,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. Prior to his current position, he was U.S. Air Forces in Europe Commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Michael Stuart)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

CSAF visits Ramstein, focus on people, pride, respectPublished July 9, 2014
                    
                    By Senior Airman Jonathan Stefanko
                    
                    
                    86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
            **RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) --**Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III returned to Ramstein Air Base July 8-9 to speak with Airmen, listen to their stories of service, update them on pressing issues facing the Air Force, and thank them for their service.
The chief of staff got a firsthand look at the base and the Airmen who make the mission happen in Europe to support three geographic combatant commands and worldwide operations. The visit also included his wife, Betty, who visited with Airmen responsible for taking care of Ramstein Airmen and families. 
During an all call July 8, Welsh focused on people, pride and respect. The general opened his remarks with a heartfelt thank you to Ramstein AB Airmen.
"I'm here really just for one reason and that's to say thank you," Welsh said. "Thanks for everything you do, how well you do it and the incredible way you represent our nation and Air Force."
Welsh expressed how every Airman, regardless of rank, plays a crucial role in accomplishing the Air Force mission.
"Every Airman is critically important to what we do and you deserve to be treated that way," he said. "I don't care how long you serve, or if you're standing up here as the chief master sergeant of the Air Force or chief of staff of the Air Force, you deserve the same amount of respect. You can do anything you want; you just have to be willing to work for it."
The general went on to say how important it is to have pride in what Airmen do every day, because it is pride that breeds success.
"I really believe that if you recruit the best people on Earth -- which I think we do -- and if you make them proud of who they are and what they do and who they stand beside, then you get performance you can't get any other way," Welsh said. "I think that's the key to success for our Air Force.”
The all call included a Q-and-A session with the general fielding questions from Airmen about what was on their minds. The general also asked for everyone's help in focusing on some of his concerns as the senior military leader of an organization with 690,000 total force Airmen serving around the world.
As an example, Welsh challenged everyone to improve communication within the ranks to ensure the right information is getting to those who need it. 
"We're looking for ideas on how we can communicate better," he said. "If you have ideas, I'm willing to listen to any suggestions.“There are Airmen getting frustrated about things before having all the facts. Rumors spread easily," he continued, using force management as a good example. "The leaders who should've been getting answers and information for their Airmen and passing along the facts weren't doing it.
"We will fail if that's how we communicate," Welsh said. "I expect better from you; I expect better from me. We have to work this one together," he said.
Wrapping up his remarks, the chief of staff pressed the point that every Airman should feel important and love what they do for the Air Force. According to Welsh, camaraderie and diversity within the ranks are what makes the Air Force more a family than an organization.
"We haven't quite got to the point where everybody understands that diversity is a strength for our Air Force," Welsh said. "If everybody that wears our uniform or comes to work as a civilian Airman doesn't feel fully empowered to contribute everything they can to the mission, we lose. 
"If they don't feel they have a voice in your organizations, we lose. There are people in this audience thinking, 'I don't have a voice, no one cares what I have to say,' and that's wrong," he said. "That's not the Air Force I want to be part of because I know we are so much better than that."
The chief of staff concluded by reminding Airmen to never forget why they wear the uniform and serve.
"I've known most of you for about an hour now, but I'd die for you,” he said. “I'm just naïve enough to believe you'd do the same for me. That is what's cool about wearing this uniform -- calling yourself an Airman, being in a profession of arms, serving your country and doing something that really matters to the nation. Don't forget why we wear the uniform. It's about knowing when it gets really ugly and the clouds all blow past that the guy or gal next to you is still going to be there. That's what this is all about. It's that pride thing -- that's why we serve. That's why I'm so proud to stand beside you."*(Airman Larissa Greatwood contributed to this article)*Ramstein 



 



Air Force Chief of Staff Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                Kendall, Allvin, Saltzman urge modernization while warning Senate of delayed budgets
                    
                    Readout of Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall’s travel to the Philippines
                    
                    Air Force senior leaders visit Eielson AFB
                    
                    Air Force leaders focus on ACE during Kadena AB visit
                    
                    USAF senior leaders visit Mariana Islands on ACE tripInnovation
                F-16s arrive to be modified for autonomous testing
                    
                    AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalistsMAJCOM News
                Cope Tiger concludes in Thailand
                    
                    Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil