Hometown News: Commander Joel Welch

Commander Joel S. Welch, son of Montgomery resident Dr. William M. Welch, was recently appointed as Officer In Charge of Naval Air Systems Command (NASC) Digital Kill Chain Combat Test and Evaluation Detachment C at China Lake, California. The unit supports the Weapons Engagement and Irregular Warfare Offices at the Naval Air Weapons Center, Weapons Division in China Lake, California.

Commander Welch was instrumental in forming the reserve support unit that expanded the military role in the annual multi-national, multi-service demonstration called “Empire Challenge.” Commander Welch leads his unit in several mission directions that include emerging technology in unmanned air systems, precision targeting software applications, counter improvised explosive devices, and Common Geopositioning Services.

In addition to his role with the Navy Reserves, Commander Welch, a 1976 graduate of Jefferson Davis High School in Montgomery, works for the Department of Defense as Deputy Project Manager for the Rapid Attack Information Dissemination Execution Relay program at China Lake. Commander Welch has been affiliated with the United States Navy as an Active and Reserve Member for almost 24 years and has served multiple tours overseas as a Naval Aviator and Aerospace Engineer.