| BIOGRAPHY : Master Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate James A. Welsh,
a native of Owensboro, Kentucky, graduated from Owensboro High School in 1972. He enlisted
in the Navy in March 1972 and upon completion of "boot camp" at Recruit Training
Center Orlando, Florida he reported to Aviation Fleet Preparatory "A" school for
training as an Aviation Boatswain's Mate at NATTC, Millington, Tennessee.
Master Chief Welsh's sea assignments include USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) where he served
as support equipment operator and aircraft director in V-1 division; USS DWIGHT D.
EISENHOWER (CVN-69) as the Hangar Deck Assistant Leading Petty Officer; USS GUAM (LHD 9)
Flight Deck Leading Chief Petty Officer; USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) Hangar Deck
Leading Chief Petty Officer; USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) V-1 Division Leading Chief
Petty Officer, and USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62) as Air Department Leading Chief Petty Officer
and Command Master Chief; USS NASHVILLE (LPD-13) as Command Master Chief, and presently
serving as Command Master Chief at Fighter Squadron Fourteen
since December 1997.
Ashore he served as a Crash Crewman at NAS Whiting Field, Crash Captain at NALF Fentress
Field, and has been assigned to the COMNAVAIRLANT Aircraft Handling Team as Aircraft
Handling, Firefighting, and Salvage expert.
Some career highlights include Operation URGENT FURY off Grenada, U.S. Multinational
Forces Lebanon, Operation SOUTHERN WATCH off Iraq, Adriatic Contingency Operation in
support of Bosnia, Operation SILVER WAKE off Albania, Operation
"Allied Force" off Kosovo and Operation "Southern
Watch" off Iraq.
Master Chief Welsh has earned both the Enlisted Surface Warfare and Enlisted Aviation
Warfare Specialist designation. His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps
Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy Good Conduct Medal (5 Awards), Navy and Marine
Corps Achievement Medal, as well as various unit and campaign awards.
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