COLONEL PAUL A. WELCH Colonel Paul A. Welch is Commander, 688th Information Operations Wing, Lackland AFB, Texas. In this capacity, he leads 1,200 professionals in developing, training, exercising and testing Information Operations tactics, techniques and procedures; analyzing and mitigating US cyberspace vulnerabilities; integrating emerging Information Dominance capabilities in support of Air Force, Joint and DOD warfighters; engineering, deploying and delivering survivable and resilient cyber infrastructure (deployed and in-garrison); and integrates communications and computer systems designed to increase the combat effectiveness of Air Force and DoD elements. Colonel Welch entered the Air Force in 1990 after receiving a commission from the United States Air Force Academy. He has knowledge and experience in communications, both fixed base and contingency, at various Air Force and Joint headquarters levels. Prior to his current assignment, he was the 67th Network Warfare Wing Vice Commander, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He also previously held commands at the squadron and company levels. In addition to command, Colonel Welch was involved in contingency operations from Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY in Haiti through Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and the current overseas contingency operations. He holds the Master Communications Badge, Master Cyberspace Operations Badge and Basic Parachutist Wings. EDUCATION 1990 Bachelor of Science Degree, Electrical Engineering, USAF Academy, CO. 1994 Master's Degree, Engineering Management, Old Dominion University, VA. 1996 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL. 2005 Master's Degree, Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL. 2006 Master's Degree, Airpower Art and Science, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, AL. 2006 Air War College (Correspondence), Maxwell AFB, AL. 2010 Master's Degree, National Security Strategy, National War College, Ft McNair, DC. ASSIGNMENTS 1. August 1990 - November 1990, Basic Communications-Computer Systems Officer Training, Keesler AFB, MS. 2. December 1990 - April 1994, Command and Control System Development Engineer, Headquarters, Tactical Air Command (then Air Combat Command), Langley AFB, VA. 3. May 1994 - August 1996, Flight Commander, 31st Combat Communications Squadron, Tinker AFB, OK. 4. September 1996 - April 1999, Chief, Joint Task Force Plans Section and then Charlie Company (ABN) Commander, Joint Communications Support Element, MacDill AFB, FL. 5. May 1999 - June 2002, Action Officer, Contingency Plans, and then Chief, USAFE Network Operations and Security Center, Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein AB, Germany. 6. July 2002 - July 2004, Commander, 366th Communications Squadron, Mountain Home AFB, ID. 7. July 2004 - June 2005, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL. 8. June 2005 - June 2006, Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, AL. 9. June 2006 - May 2008, Operations Officer, The Joint Staff, Directorate of Operations, The Pentagon, Washington, DC 10. May 2008 - June 2009, Commander, 435th Communications Squadron, Ramstein AB, Germany 11. August 2009 - July 2010, Student, National War College, Fort Leslie J. McNair, Washington, DC. 12. July 2010 - July 2011, Vice Commander, 67th Network Warfare Wing, Lackland AFB, TX. 13. July 2011 - Present, Commander, 688th Information Operations Wing, Lackland AFB, TX AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters Joint Service Commendation Medal Air Force Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal Air Force Achievement Medal Combat Readiness Medal with one oak leaf cluster National Defense Service Medal with device Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal with device Air and Space Campaign Medal NATO Medal Central Intelligence Agency National Intelligence Medal of Achievement EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION Second Lieutenant 30 May 1990 First Lieutenant 30 May 1992 Captain 30 May 1994 Major 1 July 2001 Lieutenant Colonel 1 March 2006 Colonel 1 October 2009 (current as of July 2011)