Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo along with Representatives Mike Simpson and Raul Labrador will welcome General Mark A. Welsh III, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, to Mountain Home Air Force Base in early May.  This trip is a unique opportunity for the nation’s senior uniformed Air Force officer to see first-hand some of the Air Force’s most impressive assets and capabilities. 

“Earlier this year, we invited General Welsh to Idaho to tour our world-class facilities and witness the dedication of our service members,” said the delegation.  “We were very encouraged to hear this week that General Welsh made his trip to Idaho official.  In light of our efforts to support the Idaho National Guard, we are especially pleased General Welsh has decided to spend time in both Boise and Mountain Home. As the Air Force grapples with how to handle budget cuts and manage necessary force structure changes, we will continue to work with them on the future of the A-10 and the Idaho Air National Guard.”

As Chief, General Welsh serves as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 690,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas.  As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the general and other service chiefs function as military advisers to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and the President.

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