Mark Welsh Jr. is a retired United States Air Force general who served as the Chief of Staff of the Air Force from 2012 to 2015. He was born on December 5, 1952, and has had a distinguished military career, including various leadership roles in operations and strategy. Welsh is known for his focus on modernizing the Air Force and improving its capabilities. After retiring, Welsh became involved in various educational and advisory roles, including serving as a professor at George Mason University. He has also contributed to discussions on military policy and defense strategy, sharing his insights on the importance of air power in modern warfare.