An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

AMC warfighting commander retires after 34 years of service

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mark Diamond
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AMCNS) --  After 34 years of military service, Lt. Gen. William Welser III says he is retiring from the Air Force with pride, inspiration, and faith: "pride" in an Air Force legacy he helped build; "inspiration" from the men and women who serve in today's military; and "faith" in the next generation of Airmen.

General Welser, commander of Air Mobility Command's warfighting 18th Air Force, will retire Dec. 1.

Born in Mineola, N.Y., the general received his commission in 1971 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Buffalo.

Although ROTC was the vehicle he chose to kick start his military career, General Welser's passion for the Air Force was kindled years earlier, thanks to his uncle, a chief master sergeant.

"We always enjoyed going to Griffis Air Force Base and visiting 'the Chief,' and when I had a chance to join Air Force ROTC, those visits influenced my decision," he said. "The Chief taught me a lot about being a maintenance officer and the need to listen to my NCOs. Even today, when I work with our wing commanders and command chiefs, I think about his advice."

General Welser said the motivation provided by his uncle and the values taught by his parents coupled with the education provided by the Air Force made serving our country in the Air Force the perfect choice for him.

After receiving a bachelor's degree in biology and his commission, General Welser attended the maintenance officer course at Chanute Air Force Base, Ill.. He then served as a maintenance officer at Norton Air Force Base, Calif., and Ubon, Thailand. While at Ubon, he applied for pilot training and earned his wings at Columbus, Miss., in 1975.

Although he spent only four years on the flightline, the general admitted that his experience there inspired him to continue his service. "Once you get the flightline in your blood, it’s there to stay," he said.

Although the flightline provided the early foundation for his career, he said earning his wings was a defining moment -- the point when he and his wife, Sue, decided to make the Air Force a career.

From instructor pilot to current operations to Ops officer to squadron commander, with flying, schools, temporary duty, deployments, and great assignments behind them, the general said he and Sue became very passionate about serving in the Air Force. "We loved what we were doing and enjoyed serving our country," he said.

As he moved into more senior leadership positions, he realized there was much more he could accomplish for the troops and their families.

"I’ve always known that a good portion of the work that gets done in the Air Force is accomplished by our enlisted troops, and all they ever ask for is good leadership. There is no doubt, that if you take care of the troops, they will take care of the mission," General Welser said.

He said that as he moved between command and staff positions, he kept having fun since there were always new challenges together with opportunities to learn, meet new people, and begin new family friendships.

"Then suddenly 20 years have passed and you find yourself as a colonel wing commander who's responsible for the troops and their families. An awesome responsibility, you quickly realize that your actions & decisions are shaping the Air Force," he said.

During the first 32 years of his career, General Welser commanded at squadron, wing, and headquarters level, but he said he was as surprised as anyone when selected to lead AMC's then-newly-reactivated 18th Air Force.

"Leading the 18th Air Force has been incredible experience and it will always be special to us," he said. "Being responsible for the Total Force warfighting team of this command is something I have taken very seriously and I will miss commanding troops."

General Welser has led the numbered air force with a passion that could be described as "tough love." He said he believes in being aggressive, persistent and tenacious. At the same time, he has prided himself in taking care of his people while expanding their diversity and their ability to become future leaders. He said he expects the best from his people and that often means taking them out of their "comfort zone."

"Once you're out of your comfort zone, you develop new skills, you become a better follower, a better leader, a better warfighter, and a better person," explained the general.

But according to General Welser, "warfighting" was only one of the aspects that drove his command. To the general, the 18th Air Force motto, "A War-Fit, War-Fighting Family Having Fun!" isn't just a catchy alliteration of words -- it's a road map to professional and personal success.

In fact, during a career that spans more than three decades, General Welser said one of his most significant accomplishments is "the concept of family" -- his immediate family and his extended family.

When the general talks about his extended family, he's talking about the men and women of the U.S. Air Force -- a family that he says "passionately exports freedom and democracy."

"Our job is to respond to world events," he said. "We are a country at war. On Sept. 11, 2001, our country was attacked and we responded. And when faced with a tsunami in the Pacific, hurricanes on the Gulf Coast, and an earthquake in Pakistan, we were ready to respond to those events as well."

When the general talks about his immediate family, he's talking about Sue and their children -- a wife who serves with him, and four children and a son-in-law who have Air Force careers of their own (four on active duty and one in the Reserves). "The Total Force Air Force has become the family business," he said. "And we're very proud of that."

General Welser said he sees a bright future for our military services. "Just like with my own kids, I believe the young men and women in today's Air Force have lots of potential. If you give them opportunity and encouragement, they will step up to the toughest challenges and succeed."

He said today's Air Force is much different than the one he joined in the early 1970's, but it is still “people, people, people … the troops are our No. 1 asset."

"In my 34 and a half years, I've seen the Air Force improve significantly, but for us, it's time to pass it on to the next generation who will take us to the next level," he said.

After 20 moves, General Welser looks back on each assignment much the same as an architect does when he views his own work.

"Every place we've been, we've simply put a new brick on the foundation, and the next person puts on another, and pretty soon the building begins to take shape," the general explained. "We've added a couple bricks on the foundation of 18th Air Force started by Col. Earl and Virginia Young in 1951. Maj. Gen. Jim and Linda Hawkins and those who follow him will now have the opportunity to build upon that foundation … we wish them luck!”

From placing "bricks" to helping build tomorrow's leaders, General Welser described his career as one pleasant surprise after another.

"Many years ago, I was a college biology major who came into the Air Force to 'try it out.' We never expected to make the Air Force a career," he said. "But we fell in love with military service and the people. We know there is life after the military -- and Sue & I are looking forward to the new challenges -- but a piece of our heart will always be with our Air Force Family!"