Bodega Bay
On October 10, 2002, Welch assumed his duties as the ninth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard. In his most recent assignment, Welch served as Officer-in-Charge of , homeported at Station Bodega Bay, California. His first operational tasking aboard "Sockeye" was to command her through an initial homeport transit of from New Orleans, Louisiana, to her homeport of Bodega Bay. Prior to this assignment, Welch served as Officer-in-Charge, , also homeported in Bodega Bay.