In August 1977, he transferred to Headquarters Tactical Air Command where he served as inspector general, deputy chief of staff for plans and deputy chief of staff for operations. In June 1981, he became commander of the Ninth Air Force and Air Force component commander for the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force. In November 1982, he was assigned as deputy chief of staff for programs and resources at Air Force headquarters and became Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force in July 1984. From August 1985 to June 1986, he served as commander in chief, Strategic Air Command, and director, Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. He became Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force in July 1986. Welch is one of only a handful of modern service chiefs to have risen from enlisted rank to his service's highest position (the others being Marine Corps General Alfred Gray, Army General John Shalikashvili and Navy Admiral Jeremy Boorda).