Clark Air Base is a Philippine Air Force base on Luzon Island in the Philippines, located 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Angeles, about 40 miles (64 km) northwest of Metro Manila. Clark Air Base was previously a United States military facility, operated by the U.S. Air Force under the aegis of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) and their predecessor organizations from 1903 to 1991. The base covered 14.3 square miles (37 km²) with a military reservation extending north that covered another 230 square miles (600 km²).

The base was a stronghold of the combined Philippine and American forces during the final months of World War II and a backbone of logistical support during the Vietnam War until 1975. Following the departure of American forces in 1991 due to the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, the base became the site of Clark International Airport, as well as the Clark Freeport Zone and the Air Force City of the Philippine Air Force.

In April 2016, an Air Contingent of USAF A-10s and HH-60s was deployed from U.S. air bases in Pyeongtaek and Okinawa to Clark. The Air Contingent was composed of five A-10C Thunderbolt IIs from the 51st Fighter Wing, Osan AB, South Korea; three HH-60G Pave Hawks from the 18th Wing, Kadena AB, Japan; and approximately 200 personnel deployed from multiple Pacific Air Force units. The primary mission of the contingent appears to be to patrol disputed South China Sea islands, "to provide greater and more transparent air and maritime domain awareness to ensure safety for military and civilian activities in international waters and airspace." The air contingent builds upon previous deployments by U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft to Clark.

Alan K. Welch

Alan K. Welch

Obituary

Alan Kenneth Welch was born June 22, 1948 in Minneapolis, MN. He was the second child born to Kenneth and Phebe Welch. He was a graduate of North High School in Minneapolis. He served in the U.S. Air Force stationed in the Philippines at Clark Air Force Base. This gave him an opportunity to see the country his future wife grew up in before he ever laid eyes on her. He saw Peggy from across the room at a gathering and told his best friend Rick that he was going to marry her. A story he enjoyed sharing throughout his life because…

Al married Peggy, the love of his life, on May 4th 1974. They have two daughters Tonya, and Kristi. He really loved his three grandchildren Austin, Alayna and Emma Kramer. He was active in the church as a little boy, youth group, and more. He served as church deacon in Brooklyn Park, MN.  A personal relationship with Jesus was the cornerstone of his faith and an important message he and Peggy shared with their family.  He was an active singer, loved church hymns and songs from the oldies. He loved to wake up his girls with singing and be the first to wake their grandchildren up with their birthday song.

To know Al is to know his humor and his tender-heartedness. His hobbies included traveling, camping and boating with friends and family.  He was also a classic car aficionado and taught his girls the love of cars. Al had many circles of friends and cherished each one.  A special thank you to neighbors and friends for the support and continued connections through Al’s health challenges.

Survived by his wife, Peggy; daughters, Tonya (Dana) Albers and Kristi Welch; grandchildren, Austin, Alayna & Emma Kramer; sister, Sue (Al) Koeller; sister-in-law, Julie Welch; nieces, nephews, and their families.

Preceeded in death by parents, Ken and Phebe Welch; brother Bill; brother-in-law Doug Saeger.

Visitation will be held at 11am on Tuesday October 13th 2020 at Gateway Church, 13913-185th Ave, Elk River with the Celebration of Life Service immediately following at 12 noon and Final Salute from the Honor Guard held outside.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Alan’s name may be directed to the Glaucoma Research Foundation at www.glaucoma.org/donate.

In Our Memory   

GRADUATES OF THE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
CLASS of 1966