[3][2] In 1986 Welch was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to become the new Air Force Chief of Staff, succeeding the retiring General Charles A.

[3][2] Welch assumed the position of Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force on July 1, 1986.

Welch emphasize that although the Cold War has already relieve, but the United States Air Force strength has to be maintain in-order to face another possible threat by new adversary in the future.

[2][4]With the near end of the Cold-War by 1989, Welch maintained that The United States Air Force are still in robust condition and always ready in-case a threat in the future by a new adversary attack.

Welch also pushed for all United States Air Force Aircraft cockpit that are still using the analogue equipment to be upgraded with the new computerization technology.

[4][2] During Welch testimony in the senate armed services committee in May 1989, Welch also emphasized about the further development of the Air Force technology which will play primary role in the future, such as the developing a new tactical-fighter aircraft with new advance and computerization technology, which led to the new F-22 program.

[4] Welch also emphasize about the need to push the B-2 program that have a more advance technology that will play primary role in the United States Air Force Strategic Bombers Aircraft by the future in-which Senator John Warner, the high-ranking members of the armed services committee agreed with Welch statement.

[6] During his last year tenure as Air Force Chief of Staff Welch warn that Saddam Hussein buildup of its Military arsenal and his eager to be the superpower in the Middle-East would become threat to its neighborhood.

During his last tenure as Air Force Chief of Staff, Welch mostly advising the Bush administration and the National Security Council about the possible scenario if Iraq invade its neighbor and spark war within the Middle-East region.

Secretary Rice praises Welch effort in modernizing the United States Air Force in-order to adjust within the incoming future advance technology.

In 1998 he spent several months on the Rumsfeld Commission, which reported to Congress on the ballistic missile threat to the United States.

In October 2007, Welch was asked by Robert Gates to lead the Defense Science Board task force that would study the 2007 United States Air Force nuclear weapons incident as part of a larger review of US Department of Defense procedures and policies for handling nuclear weapons.

In February 2022 following Russian invasion of Ukraine, Welch commented about the need on for a more strict for command and control regarding the use of Strategic Weapon in-order to avoid the possibility of a Nuclear Conflict.