Rear Admiral John S. Welch
Deputy Area Commander for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs
Pacific Area US Coast Guard
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Rear Admiral John S. Welch assumed his duties as Deputy Area Commander, Mobilization and Reserve Component Affairs, Coast Guard Pacific Area in June 2010.
Prior to this assignment, he served as the Reserve Chief of Staff, Coast Guard Atlantic Area, responsible for the training and mobilization of 4,400 reservists. From 2005 to 2007, he served as both the Commander, US Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) – Joint Reserve Unit (JRU) and the Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard’s JFCOM Reserve Unit, where he had oversight and planning responsibilities for the operation of both units. US Joint Forces Command, headquartered in Norfolk, VA provides organized, trained and equiped personnel for all Combatant Commanders around the world. From 2001-2005, Rear Admiral Welch was Executive Officer of the Coast Guard’s JFCOM Reserve Unit.
Rear Admiral Welch was promoted to Captain in 2004. He served as the Senior Duty Officer at the US Transportation Command from 1998 to 2001. From 1995 to 1998, he was assigned as the Reserve Command Advisor for the Coast Guard’s Operations System Center in Martinsburg, WV. From 1995 to 1998, he was the Commanding Officer of Port Security Detachment, Wheeling, WV.
His 28 year career has included a variety of operational and staff assignments. Rear Admiral Welch has been recalled to active duty on five occasions to support the 93’ Midwest Floods, Operation Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Hurricane Rita/Katrina, and most recently as the Deputy Commander for the Coast Guard’s Deployable Operations Group where he oversaw the worldwide operations of the Coast Guard’s 3,000 Deloyable Specialized Forces.
Commissioned in 1982, Rear Admiral Welch has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. He also graduated in 1990 from Wright State University in Fairborn, OH with a Masters Degree in Systems Engineering.
His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2), Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Coast Guard Achievement Medal, and Commandant’s Letter of Commendation.
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