Chief of the Air Staff (Canada)
Encyclopedia
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) (French
: Chef d’état-major de la Force aérienne or CEMFA) is the commander and institutional head of the Royal Canadian Air Force
. The Chief of the Air Staff is based at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario
from where he commands and provides strategic direction to the Air Force under the overall direction of the Chief of the Defence Staff
. The post also existed in the 20th century Royal Canadian Air Force.
Prior to 1938 when the Royal Canadian Air Force became independent of the Canadian Army, the Air Force and its predecessor organizations were still commanded by a single officer although serveral different titles were used. With the creation of the Canadian Aviation Corps
in 1914, a Provisional Commander was appointed. This small and short-lived organization was dissolved in 1915 and it was not until 1918 that the Canadian Air Force came into being under the authority of its Officer Commanding. The Canadian Air Force
was reconstituted in 1920 and the officer in command (Air Commodore Tylee) held the title of Air Officer Commanding
. It was also from 1920 to 1922 that Air Vice-Marshal Sir Willoughby Gwatkin served as Inspector-General of the Canadian Air Force although formally command was vested in Tylee. Tylee's successors, not being air officers, only held the title of Officer Commanding
. In 1922, the senior Air Force post was redesignated as the Director and in 1924, when the Canadian Air Force was granted its Royal prefix, the officer appointed to command the Air Force continued to hold the title of Director. From 1932 to 1938 the title of Senior Air Officer
was used.
In late 1938, the Air Force became an independent service and its professional head was retitled Chief of the Air Staff, bringing the Canadian higher command arrangements and nomenclature into line with that of the British and Australian air forces. The title of Chief of the Air Staff was used throughout World War II
and well into the Cold War
years. However, in 1964, the post was abolished as part of a plan to integrate the Canadian Forces and authority over aviation units was no longer vested in a single post. This arrangement was eventually judged to be impractical and in 1975 the air units of the Canadian Forces were placed within Air Command under the authority of a lieutenant-general with the title Commander of Air Command. In 1997, the Canadian Forces reverted to their former title by redesignating the Commander of Air Command as the Chief of the Air Staff, a practice that has continued to the present day. In 2011 Air Command was renamed to become Royal Canadian Air Force once more resulting in the both the Service and its head being designated as they were during World War II
and the first half of the Cold War
years.
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
: Chef d’état-major de la Force aérienne or CEMFA) is the commander and institutional head of the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
. The Chief of the Air Staff is based at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
from where he commands and provides strategic direction to the Air Force under the overall direction of the Chief of the Defence Staff
Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)
The Chief of the Defence Staff is the second most senior member of the Canadian Forces, and heads the Armed Forces Council, having primary responsibility for command, control, and administration of the forces, as well as military strategy, plans, and requirements...
. The post also existed in the 20th century Royal Canadian Air Force.
History of the post
| Dates | Title | Air service |
|---|---|---|
| 1914–1915 | Provisional Commander | Canadian Aviation Corps Canadian Aviation Corps Canadian Aviation Corps was an early attempt to create an air force for Canada at the beginning of the First World War. The unit was created in 1914 and was attached to the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The CAC had a maximum strength of three personnel and one aircraft which was delivered but... |
| 1918–1920 | Officer Commanding Officer Commanding The Officer Commanding is the commander of a sub-unit or minor unit , principally used in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. In other countries, the term Commanding Officer is applied to commanders of minor as well as major units.Normally an Officer Commanding is a company, squadron or battery... |
Canadian Air Force (first creation) |
| 1920-1922 | Air Officer Commanding Air Officer Commanding Air Officer Commanding is a title given in the air forces of Commonwealth nations to an air officer who holds a command appointment. Thus, an air vice marshal might be the AOC 38 Group... Officer Commanding Officer Commanding The Officer Commanding is the commander of a sub-unit or minor unit , principally used in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. In other countries, the term Commanding Officer is applied to commanders of minor as well as major units.Normally an Officer Commanding is a company, squadron or battery... |
Canadian Air Force Canadian Air Force (1920–1924) The Canadian Air Force which was formed in 1920, was one of Canada's early attempts at forming an air force. When the Air Board was formed in 1919 to manage Canadian aviation, one of its responsibilities was air defence; the CAF was formed to meet this responsibility... (second creation) |
| 1922-1924 | Director | Canadian Air Force Canadian Air Force (1920–1924) The Canadian Air Force which was formed in 1920, was one of Canada's early attempts at forming an air force. When the Air Board was formed in 1919 to manage Canadian aviation, one of its responsibilities was air defence; the CAF was formed to meet this responsibility... (second creation) |
| 1924-1932 | Director | Royal Canadian Air Force (first creation) |
| 1932-1938 | Senior Air Officer | Royal Canadian Air Force (first creation) |
| 1938-1964 | Chief of the Air Staff | Royal Canadian Air Force (first creation) |
| 1964-1975 | no single air commander | no single air power organization |
| 1975-1997 | Commander of Air Command | Canadian Forces Air Command |
| 1997-2011 | Chief of the Air Staff | Canadian Forces Air Command |
| 2011- | Chief of the Air Staff | Royal Canadian Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968... (second creation) |
Prior to 1938 when the Royal Canadian Air Force became independent of the Canadian Army, the Air Force and its predecessor organizations were still commanded by a single officer although serveral different titles were used. With the creation of the Canadian Aviation Corps
Canadian Aviation Corps
Canadian Aviation Corps was an early attempt to create an air force for Canada at the beginning of the First World War. The unit was created in 1914 and was attached to the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The CAC had a maximum strength of three personnel and one aircraft which was delivered but...
in 1914, a Provisional Commander was appointed. This small and short-lived organization was dissolved in 1915 and it was not until 1918 that the Canadian Air Force came into being under the authority of its Officer Commanding. The Canadian Air Force
Canadian Air Force (1920–1924)
The Canadian Air Force which was formed in 1920, was one of Canada's early attempts at forming an air force. When the Air Board was formed in 1919 to manage Canadian aviation, one of its responsibilities was air defence; the CAF was formed to meet this responsibility...
was reconstituted in 1920 and the officer in command (Air Commodore Tylee) held the title of Air Officer Commanding
Air Officer Commanding
Air Officer Commanding is a title given in the air forces of Commonwealth nations to an air officer who holds a command appointment. Thus, an air vice marshal might be the AOC 38 Group...
. It was also from 1920 to 1922 that Air Vice-Marshal Sir Willoughby Gwatkin served as Inspector-General of the Canadian Air Force although formally command was vested in Tylee. Tylee's successors, not being air officers, only held the title of Officer Commanding
Officer Commanding
The Officer Commanding is the commander of a sub-unit or minor unit , principally used in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. In other countries, the term Commanding Officer is applied to commanders of minor as well as major units.Normally an Officer Commanding is a company, squadron or battery...
. In 1922, the senior Air Force post was redesignated as the Director and in 1924, when the Canadian Air Force was granted its Royal prefix, the officer appointed to command the Air Force continued to hold the title of Director. From 1932 to 1938 the title of Senior Air Officer
Air Officer
An air officer is a Royal Air Force officer of the rank of air commodore or higher. Such officers may be termed "officers of air rank". The term is also used by many Commonwealth nations who have a similar rank structure to the RAF....
was used.
In late 1938, the Air Force became an independent service and its professional head was retitled Chief of the Air Staff, bringing the Canadian higher command arrangements and nomenclature into line with that of the British and Australian air forces. The title of Chief of the Air Staff was used throughout World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and well into the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
years. However, in 1964, the post was abolished as part of a plan to integrate the Canadian Forces and authority over aviation units was no longer vested in a single post. This arrangement was eventually judged to be impractical and in 1975 the air units of the Canadian Forces were placed within Air Command under the authority of a lieutenant-general with the title Commander of Air Command. In 1997, the Canadian Forces reverted to their former title by redesignating the Commander of Air Command as the Chief of the Air Staff, a practice that has continued to the present day. In 2011 Air Command was renamed to become Royal Canadian Air Force once more resulting in the both the Service and its head being designated as they were during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the first half of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
years.
Provisional Commander
- Captain E.L. Janney (1914-1915)
Officer Commanding
- Wing CommanderWing Commander (rank)Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
R.F. Redpath (1921) - Wing Commander J.S. Scott (1921-1922)
Director
- Wing Commander J.L. Gordon (1922–1924)
- Wing Commander W.G. BarkerWilliam George BarkerWilliam George Barker VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Two Bars was a Canadian First World War fighter ace and Victoria Cross recipient...
(1924) - Group Captain J.S. Scott (1924-1928)
- Wing Commander L.S. BreadnerLloyd Samuel BreadnerAir Chief MarshalThis rank was used during the existence of the Royal Canadian Air Force and replaced with the rank of General in 1968 with the unification of the Canadian Forces. See :Category:Canadian Forces Air Command generals for such officers. Breadner was one of only two Canadian Air Chief...
(1928–1932) - Squadron LeaderSquadron LeaderSquadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
A.A.L. Cuffe (1932)
Senior Air Officer
- Group Captain J.L. Gordon (1932–1933)
- Wing Commander G.O. JohnsonGeorge Owen JohnsonAir Marshal George Owen Johnson CB, MC was a Canadian aviator.-World War I service:Born in Woodstock, Ontario in 1896, George Owen Johnson initially served as a subaltern with the Corps of School Cadet Instructors from 1913 to 1916...
(1933) - Air Vice-MarshalAir Vice-MarshalAir vice-marshal is a two-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in...
G.M. CroilGeorge CroilAir Marshal George Mitchell Croil CBE, AFC was a Royal Flying Corps pilot during World War I who went on to become the first Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Canadian Air Force...
(1934–1938)
Chief of the Air Staff
- Air Vice-Marshal G.M. CroilGeorge CroilAir Marshal George Mitchell Croil CBE, AFC was a Royal Flying Corps pilot during World War I who went on to become the first Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Canadian Air Force...
(1938–1940) - Air MarshalAir MarshalAir marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
L.S. BreadnerLloyd Samuel BreadnerAir Chief MarshalThis rank was used during the existence of the Royal Canadian Air Force and replaced with the rank of General in 1968 with the unification of the Canadian Forces. See :Category:Canadian Forces Air Command generals for such officers. Breadner was one of only two Canadian Air Chief...
(1940–1943) - Air Marshal R. LeckieRobert Leckie (aviator)Air Marshal Robert Leckie CB, DSO, DSC, DFC, CD was a Canadian aviation pioneer and Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1944 to 1947.- First World War service :...
(January 1944 – August 1947) - Air Marshal W.A. CurtisWilfred CurtisAir Marshal Wilfred Austin "Wilf" Curtis, OC, CB, CBE, DSC & Bar, ED, CD was a Canadian airman and Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1947 until 1953.-Early years:...
(1947–1953) - Air Marshal C.R. SlemonRoy SlemonAir Marshal Charles Roy Slemon, CB, CBE, CD , known as Roy Slemon, was the Royal Canadian Air Force's Chief of the Air Staff from 1953 to 1957. Slemon then served as the first deputy commander in chief of NORAD...
(1953–1957) - Air Marshal H. CampbellHugh Campbell (politician)Air Marshal Hugh Lester Campbell, CBE, CD was a politician for Northwest Territories, Canada and a senior commander in the Royal Canadian Air Force....
(1957–1962) - Air Marshal C.R. DunlapClarence DunlapAir Marshal Clarence Rupert Dunlap CBE, CD, was a Canadian airman who, from 1962 to 1964, served as the last Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Canadian Air Force. From 1964 to 1967 he was the deputy commander-in-chief of NORAD...
(1962–1964)
Commander of Air Command
- Lieutenant-GeneralLieutenant-General (Canada)In the Canadian Forces, the rank of lieutenant-general is an Army or Air Force rank equal to a vice-admiral of the Navy. A lieutenant-general is a general officer, the equivalent of a Naval flag officer. A lieutenant-general is senior to a major general or rear-admiral, and junior to a general or...
W.K. Carr (1975-1978) - Lieutenant-General G.A. MacKenzie (1978-1980)
- Lieutenant-General K. LewisKenneth LewisSir Kenneth Lewis was a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom. He was Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom for Rutland and Stamford from 1959 to 1983, and following boundary changes for Stamford and Spalding from 1983 to 1987.Son of William and Agnes Lewis, Kenneth Lewis was...
(1980-1983) - Lieutenant-General P.D. MansonPaul David MansonPaul David Manson, OC, CMM, CD is a retired Canadian general, fighter pilot, and businessman.-Education:He graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario in 1956, student # 3528....
(1983-1985) - Lieutenant-General D.M. McNaughton (1985-1986)
- Lieutenant-General G.S. Clements (1993-1995)
- Lieutenant-General A.M. DeQuetteville (1995-1997)
Chief of the Air Staff
- Lieutenant-General D. Kinsman (1997-2000)
- Lieutenant-General L. Campbell (2000-2003)
- Lieutenant-General K. Pennie (2003-2005)
- Lieutenant-General S. LucasSteve LucasLieutenant-General James Steve Lucas, CMM, CD was the commander of the Canadian Forces Air Command and Canadian Chief of the Air Staff until 2007.In 2001, he was made a Commander of the Order of Military Merit....
(2005-2007) - Lieutenant-General A. Watt (2007-2009)
- Lieutenant-General A. Deschamps (2009-present)
See also
- Chief of the Defence StaffChief of the Defence Staff (Canada)The Chief of the Defence Staff is the second most senior member of the Canadian Forces, and heads the Armed Forces Council, having primary responsibility for command, control, and administration of the forces, as well as military strategy, plans, and requirements...
, the second most senior member of the Canadian ForcesCanadian ForcesThe Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
after the Commander-in-Chief - Commander of the Royal Canadian NavyCommander Royal Canadian NavyThe Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy is the commander and institutional head of the Royal Canadian Navy. The Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy is based at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario.-History of the post:...
, the commander and institutional head of the Royal Canadian NavyRoyal Canadian NavyThe history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
. - Chief of the Land StaffChief of the Land StaffThe Chief of the Land Staff is the commander and institutional head of the Canadian Army. The Chief of the Land is based at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario.-History of the post:...
, the commander and institutional head of the Canadian Army.