View source for Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force

{{short description|Senior-most officer and service chief of the United States Air Force}}
{{Distinguish|Director of Staff of the United States Air Force}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox official post
| post = Chief of Staff
| body = the Air Force
| insignia = Seal of Chief of Staff of USAF.svg
| insigniacaption = Seal of the Chief of Staff<ref>{{Cite web |title=Air Force Chief of Staff |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Art/igphoto/2000577021/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241030171545/https://www.af.mil/News/Art/igphoto/2000577021/ |archive-date=30 Oct 2024 |website=www.af.mil |publisher=[[U.S. Air Force]] |quote=Air Force Chief of Staff Seal.}}</ref>
| flag = Flag of the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.svg
| flagborder = yes
| flagcaption = Flag of the Chief of Staff<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weckerlein |first=Julie |date=August 12, 2008 |title=General Schwartz in as 19th chief of staff |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/122736/general-schwartz-in-as-19th-chief-of-staff/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20211121013655/https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/122736/general-schwartz-in-as-19th-chief-of-staff/ |archive-date=21 Nov 2021 |website=www.af.mil |publisher=[[U.S. Air Force]]}}</ref>
| image = Gen David W. Allvin (3).jpg
| alt = 
| incumbent = [[General (United States)|General]] [[David W. Allvin]]
| acting = 
| incumbentsince = 2 November 2023
| department = [[United States Air Force]]<br/>[[Air Staff (United States)|Air Staff]]
| style = 
| type = Service chief
| status = 
| abbreviation = CSAF<br/>AF/CC
| member_of = [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]]
| reports_to = [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]]<br/>[[United States Secretary of the Air Force|Secretary of the Air Force]]
| residence = Quarters 7, [[Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afhistory.af.mil/FAQs/Fact-Sheets/Article/458977/air-house-a-history/|title=Air House: A History|website=U.S. Air Force}}</ref>
| seat = [[The Pentagon]], [[Arlington, Virginia]]
| nominator = 
| appointer = The [[President of the United States|President]]
| appointer_qualified = with [[United States Senate|Senate]] [[advice and consent]]
| termlength = 4 years
| termlength_qualified = Renewable once, only during war or national emergency
| constituting_instrument = {{USC|10|9033}}
| precursor = [[United States Army Air Forces|Commanding General, United States Army Air Forces]]
| formation = 18 September 1947
| first = Gen [[Carl Andrew Spaatz|Carl A. Spaatz]]
| last = 
| abolished = 
| succession = 
| unofficial_names = 
| deputy = [[Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force|Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force]]
| salary = 
| website = [https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Air-Force-Senior-Leaders/CSAF/ Official Website]
}}

The '''chief of staff of the Air Force''' ([[acronym]]: '''CSAF''', or '''AF/CC''') is the service chief of the [[United States Air Force]]. They are the principal military advisor to the [[United States Secretary of the Air Force|secretary of the Air Force]] on matter pertaining to the Air Force. They are a member of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]], and thereby a military adviser to the [[United States National Security Council|National Security Council]], the [[United States Secretary of Defense|secretary of defense]], and the [[President of the United States|president]]. The chief of staff is typically the highest-ranking officer on [[active duty]] in the Air Force, unless the [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff|chairman]] and/or the [[Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff|vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] are Air Force officers.

The chief of staff of the Air Force is an administrative position based in [[the Pentagon]]. The chief of staff does not have operational command authority over Air Force forces. That is within the purview of the [[combatant command]]ers who report to the secretary of defense. The chief of staff exercises supervision of Air Force units and organizations as the designee of the secretary of the Air Force.

The 23rd and current chief of staff of the Air Force is General [[David W. Allvin]].

==Responsibilities==

===Department of the Air Force===
Under the authority, direction and control of the [[United States Secretary of the Air Force|secretary of the Air Force]], the chief of staff presides over the [[Air Staff (United States)|Air Staff]]. They act as the Secretary's executive agent in carrying out approved plans, and exercises supervision, consistent with authority assigned to the commanders of the [[Unified Combatant Command]]s, over organizations and members of the Air Force as determined by the Secretary. The chief of staff may perform other duties as assigned by either the president, the secretary of defense or the secretary of the Air Force.<ref name="CSAF Cornell">{{USC|10|9033}}</ref>

The [[Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force|vice chief of staff of the Air Force]], also a four-star general, is the chief of staff's principal deputy.<ref name="VCSAF">{{USC|10|9034}}</ref>

===Member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff===
The chief of staff of the Air Force is a member of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]] as prescribed by {{UnitedStatesCode|10|151}}. When performing his JCS duties, the chief of staff is directly responsible to the secretary of defense. Like the other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chief of staff is an administrative position, with no operational command authority over the United States Air Force.

==Appointment and rank==
[[File:Michael B. Donley Norton A, Schwartz 2008.jpg|thumb|Incoming Chief of Staff Gen. [[Norton A. Schwartz]] about to accept the ceremonial flag at [[Bolling Air Force Base]], August 12, 2008.|left]]
The chief of staff is nominated for appointment by the [[President of the United States|president]], for a four-year term of office,<ref name="CSAF" /> and must be confirmed via majority vote by the [[United States Senate|Senate]].<ref name="CSAF" /> Any Air Force officer with the rank of brigadier general and above may be appointed as chief of staff.<ref name="CSAF" /> Prospective nominees are typically laterally promoted from other four-star assignments. The chief can be reappointed to serve one additional term, but only during times of war or national emergency declared by Congress.<ref name="CSAF" />
[[File:Nathan Twining 02 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|The special uniform cap of the Air Force Chief of Staff. It is also worn by the [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff|CJCS]], or the [[Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff|VJCS]], when either is from the Air Force.<ref name=":0" />]]
To qualify for the position, the nominee must have significant joint duty experience, and at least one full [[tour of duty]] in a joint duty assignment as a [[general officer]], unless the President waives this requirement.<ref name="CSAF"/> By statute, the chief of staff is appointed as a [[General (United States)|four-star general]] without vacating his permanent rank.<ref name="CSAF"/>

===Special uniform cap===
The chief of staff is authorized to wear a special service cap with clouds and lightning bolts around the band of the hat. This cap is different from those worn by other general officers of the Air Force and it is for use by the Chief of Staff and Air Force officers serving as Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=USAF CHIEF OF STAFF SERVICE CAP |url=http://www.uniforms-4u.com/p-us-air-force-chief-of-staff-uniform-hat-3261.aspx |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240412121330/http://www.uniforms-4u.com/p-us-air-force-chief-of-staff-uniform-hat-3261.aspx |archive-date=12 April 2024 |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=www.uniforms-4u.com |publisher=The Salute Uniforms}}</ref>

==List of chiefs of staff of the Air Force==
Prior to the creation of this position, General [[Henry H. Arnold]] was designated the first '''chief of the [[United States Army Air Forces|Army Air Forces]]''' and commanding general of the Army Air Forces during [[World War II]]. His successor, [[Carl A. Spaatz]] became the first chief of staff of the Air Force upon the establishment of the [[United States Air Force]].

Four chiefs of staff would go on to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, namely Nathan F. Twining, George S. Brown, David C. Jones, and Charles Q. Brown Jr.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col" rowspan=2 | {{abbr|No.|Number}}
! scope="col" rowspan=2 class="unsortable" | Portrait
! scope="col" rowspan=2 | Name
! scope="col" colspan=3 | Term
! scope="col" rowspan=2 | Background
! scope="col" colspan=2 | Secretaries served under:
! scope="col" rowspan=2 class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
! scope="col" | Took office
! scope="col" | Left office
! scope="col" | Duration
! scope="col" | [[United States Secretary of the Air Force|Air Force]]
! scope="col" | [[United States Secretary of Defense|Defense]]
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 1
| image                 = Carl Spaatz, Air Force photo portrait, color.jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[Carl A. Spaatz]]
| officeholder_sort     = Spaatz, Carl Andrew
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1891
| died_year             = 1974
| term_start            = 26 September 1947
| term_end              = 29 April 1948
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|1947|9|26|1948|4|29}}
| election              = [[Fighter aircraft|Fighters]]
| alt_officeholder      = [[Stuart Symington]]
| coalition             = [[James Forrestal]]
| ref                   = <ref name="CSAF">{{cite web|url=https://www.afhistory.af.mil/History/Air-Force-Chiefs-of-Staff/|title=Former Air Force Chiefs of Staff|access-date=2 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609021450/https://www.afhistory.af.mil/History/Air-Force-Chiefs-of-Staff/|archive-date=9 June 2022|website=Air Force Historical Support Division}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 2
| image                 = Hoyt S Vandenberg.jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[Hoyt Vandenberg|Hoyt S. Vandenberg]]
| officeholder_sort     = Vandenberg, Hoyt Sanford
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1899
| died_year             = 1954
| term_start            = 30 April 1948{{efn|name=vcsaf|Served prior as [[Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force|Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force]].}}
| term_end              = 29 June 1953
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|1948|04|30|1953|06|29}}
| election              = Attack and Fighters		
| alt_officeholder      = [[Stuart Symington]]
| alt_officeholder2     = [[Thomas K. Finletter]]
| alt_officeholder3     = [[Harold E. Talbott]]
| cabinet               = [[James Forrestal]]
| cabinet2              = [[Louis A. Johnson]]
| cabinet3              = [[George C. Marshall]]
| cabinet4              = [[Robert A. Lovett]]
| cabinet5              = [[Charles Erwin Wilson]]
| ref                   = <ref name="CSAF"/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 3
| image                 = Nathan Twining 02.jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[Nathan F. Twining]]
| officeholder_sort     = Twining, Nathan Farragut
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1897
| died_year             = 1982
| term_start            = 30 June 1953{{efn|name=vcsaf}}
| term_end              = 30 June 1957{{efn|name=cjcs|Appointed as [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]].}}
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|1953|06|30|1957|06|30}}
| election              = Fighters and [[Bomber]]s		
| alt_officeholder      = [[Harold E. Talbott]]
| alt_officeholder2     = [[Donald A. Quarles]]
| alt_officeholder3     = [[James H. Douglas Jr.]]
| cabinet               = [[Charles Erwin Wilson]]
| ref                   = <ref name="CSAF"/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 4
| image                 = Gen Thomas Dresser White.jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[Thomas D. White]]
| officeholder_sort     = White, Thomas Dresser
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1901
| died_year             = 1965
| term_start            = 1 July 1957{{efn|name=vcsaf}}
| term_end              = 30 June 1961	
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|1957|07|01|1961|06|30}}
| election              = Observation aircraft and Staff	
| alt_officeholder      = [[James H. Douglas Jr.]]
| alt_officeholder2     = [[Dudley C. Sharp|Dudley Sharp]]
| alt_officeholder3     = [[Eugene M. Zuckert|Eugene Zuckert]]
| cabinet               = [[Charles Erwin Wilson]]
| cabinet2              = [[Neil H. McElroy]]
| cabinet3              = [[Thomas S. Gates Jr.|Thomas Gates]]
| cabinet4              = [[Robert McNamara]]
| ref                   = <ref name="CSAF"/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 5
| image                 = Curtis LeMay (USAF).jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[Curtis LeMay|Curtis E. LeMay]]
| officeholder_sort     = LeMay, Curtis Emerson
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1906
| died_year             = 1990
| term_start            = 30 June 1961{{efn|name=vcsaf}}	
| term_end              = 31 January 1965
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|1961|06|30|1965|01|31}}
| election              = Bombers	
| alt_officeholder      = [[Eugene M. Zuckert|Eugene Zuckert]]
| cabinet               = [[Robert McNamara]]
| ref                   = <ref name="CSAF"/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 6
| image                 = John P. McConnell.jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[John P. McConnell (general)|John P. McConnell]]
| officeholder_sort     = McConnell, John Paul
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1908
| died_year             = 1986
| term_start            = 1 February 1965{{efn|name=vcsaf}}	
| term_end              = 31 July 1969
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|1965|02|01|1969|07|31}}
| election              = Fighters	
| alt_officeholder      = [[Eugene M. Zuckert|Eugene Zuckert]]
| alt_officeholder2     = [[Harold Brown (Secretary of Defense)|Harold Brown]]
| alt_officeholder3     = [[Robert Seamans]]
| cabinet               = [[Robert McNamara]]
| cabinet2              = [[Clark Clifford]]
| cabinet3              = [[Melvin Laird]]
| ref                   = <ref name="CSAF"/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 7
| image                 = GEN Ryan, John Dale (2).jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[John Dale Ryan|John D. Ryan]]
| officeholder_sort     = Ryan, John Dale
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1915
| died_year             = 1983
| term_start            = 1 August 1969{{efn|name=vcsaf}}	
| term_end              = 31 July 1973
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|1969|08|01|1973|07|31}}
| election              = Bombers
| alt_officeholder      = [[Robert Seamans]]
| alt_officeholder2     = [[John L. McLucas]]
| cabinet               = [[Melvin Laird]]
| cabinet2              = [[Elliot Richardson]]
| cabinet3              = [[James R. Schlesinger]]
| ref                   = <ref name="CSAF"/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 8
| image                 = GEN George Brown.JPG
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[George Scratchley Brown|George S. Brown]]
| officeholder_sort     = Brown, George Scratchley
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1918
| died_year             = 1978
| term_start            = 1 August 1973	
| term_end              = 30 June 1974{{efn|name=cjcs}}	
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|1973|08|01|1974|06|30}}
| election              = Bombers
| alt_officeholder      = [[John L. McLucas]]
| cabinet               = [[James R. Schlesinger]]
| ref                   = <ref name="CSAF"/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 9
| image                 = Gen David C Jones.jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[David C. Jones]]
| officeholder_sort     = Jones, David Charles
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1921
| died_year             = 2013
| term_start            = 1 July 1974
| term_end              = 20 June 1978{{efn|name=cjcs}}
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|1974|07|01|1978|06|20}}
| election              = Bombers
| alt_officeholder      = [[John L. McLucas]]
| alt_officeholder2     = [[Thomas C. Reed]]
| alt_officeholder3     = [[John C. Stetson]]
| cabinet               = [[James R. Schlesinger]]
| cabinet2              = Donald Rumsfeld
| cabinet3              = [[Harold Brown (Secretary of Defense)|Harold Brown]]
| ref                   = <ref name="CSAF"/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 10
| image                 = General Lew Allen, official military photo.jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[Lew Allen|Lew Allen Jr.]]
| officeholder_sort     = Allen, Lew
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1925
| died_year             = 2010
| term_start            = 1 July 1978{{efn|name=vcsaf}}
| term_end              = 30 June 1982
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|1978|07|01|1982|06|30}}
| election              = Bombers
| alt_officeholder      = [[John C. Stetson]]
| alt_officeholder2     = [[Hans Mark]]
| alt_officeholder3     = [[Verne Orr]]
| cabinet               = [[Harold Brown (Secretary of Defense)|Harold Brown]]
| cabinet2              = [[Caspar Weinberger]]
| ref                   = <ref name="CSAF"/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 11
| image                 = Charles A. Gabriel.jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[Charles A. Gabriel]]
| officeholder_sort     = Gabriel, Charles Alvin
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1928
| died_year             = 2003
| term_start            = 1 July 1982	
| term_end              = 30 June 1986
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|1982|07|01|1986|06|30}}
| election              = Fighters
| alt_officeholder      = [[Verne Orr]]
| alt_officeholder2     = [[Russell A. Rourke]]
| alt_officeholder3     = [[Edward C. Aldridge Jr.|Edward Aldridge]]
| cabinet               = [[Caspar Weinberger]]
| ref                   = <ref name="CSAF"/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 12
| image                 = Portrait of US Air Force (USAF) General (GEN) Larry D. Welch (uncovered) (cropped).jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[Larry D. Welch]]
| officeholder_sort     = Welch, Larry D.
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1934
| died_year             = 
| term_start            = 1 July 1986
| term_end              = 30 June 1990
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|1986|07|01|1990|06|30}}
| election              = Fighters
| alt_officeholder      = [[Edward C. Aldridge Jr.|Edward Aldridge]]
| alt_officeholder2     = [[Donald Rice]]
| cabinet               = [[Caspar Weinberger]]
| cabinet2              = [[Frank Carlucci]]
| cabinet3              = [[Dick Cheney]]
| ref                   = <ref name="CSAF"/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 13
| image                 = Michael Dugan, official military photo.jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[Michael Dugan (general)|Michael J. Dugan]]
| officeholder_sort     = Dugan, Michael Joseph
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1937
| died_year             = 
| term_start            = 1 July 1990	
| term_end              = 17 September 1990<br />{{small|''(relieved)''}}
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|1990|07|01|1990|09|17}}
| election              = Fighters
| alt_officeholder      = [[Donald Rice]]
| cabinet               = [[Dick Cheney]]
| ref                   = <ref name="CSAF"/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = -
| image                 = Gen John M. Loh portrait.jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[John M. Loh]]
| officeholder_sort     = Loh, John Michael
| officeholder_note     = {{efn|name=acting|In capacity as Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force.}}
| born_year             = 1938
| died_year             = 
| acting                = y
| term_start            = 18 September 1990	
| term_end              = 29 October 1990	
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|1990|09|18|1990|10|29}}
| election              = Fighters
| alt_officeholder      = [[Donald Rice]]
| cabinet               = [[Dick Cheney]]
| ref                   = <ref name="CSAF"/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 14
| image                 = Merrill McPeak, official military photo.JPEG
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[Merrill McPeak|Merrill A. McPeak]]
| officeholder_sort     = McPeak, Merrill Anthony
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1936
| died_year             = 
| term_start            = 30 October 1990
| term_end              = 25 October 1994	
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|1990|10|30|1994|10|25}}
| election              = Fighters
| alt_officeholder      = [[Donald Rice]]
| alt_officeholder2     = [[Sheila Widnall]]
| cabinet               = [[Dick Cheney]]
| cabinet2              = [[Les Aspin]]
| cabinet3              = [[William J. Perry]]
| ref                   = <ref name="CSAF"/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 15
| image                 = Ronald R. Fogleman.jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[Ronald Fogleman|Ronald R. Fogleman]]
| officeholder_sort     = Fogleman, Ronald Robert
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1942
| died_year             = 
| term_start            = 26 October 1994	
| term_end              = 1 September 1997
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|1994|10|26|1997|09|01}}
| election              = Fighters
| alt_officeholder      = [[Sheila Widnall]]
| cabinet               = [[William J. Perry]]
| cabinet2              = [[William Cohen]]
| ref                   = <ref name="CSAF"/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = -
| image                 = Ralph E Eberhart, CINCSPACE & CINCNORAD.jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[Ralph Eberhart|Ralph E. Eberhart]]
| officeholder_sort     = Eberhart, Ralph Edward
| officeholder_note     = {{efn|name=acting}}
| born_year             = 1946
| died_year             = 
| acting                = y
| term_start            = 2 September 1997
| term_end              = 5 October 1997
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|1997|09|02|1997|10|05}}
| election              = Fighters
| alt_officeholder      = [[Sheila Widnall]]
| cabinet               = [[William Cohen]]
| ref                   = <ref name="CSAF"/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 16
| image                 = Michael Ryan, official military photo.jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[Michael E. Ryan]]
| officeholder_sort     = Ryan, Michael
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1941
| died_year             = 
| term_start            = 6 October 1997
| term_end              = 5 September 2001	
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|1997|10|06|2001|09|05}}
| election              = Fighters
| alt_officeholder      = [[Sheila Widnall]]
| alt_officeholder2     = [[F. Whitten Peters]]
| alt_officeholder3     = [[James G. Roche]]
| cabinet               = [[William Cohen]]
| cabinet2              = Donald Rumsfeld
| ref                   = <ref name="CSAF"/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 17
| image                 = John-P-Jumper.jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[John P. Jumper]]
| officeholder_sort     = Jumper, John Phillip
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1945
| died_year             = 
| term_start            = 6 September 2001	
| term_end              = 1 September 2005	
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|2001|09|06|2005|09|01}}
| election              = Fighters
| alt_officeholder      = [[James G. Roche]]
| cabinet               = Donald Rumsfeld
| ref                   = <ref name="CSAF"/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 18
| image                 = Moseley official photo 6.jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[T. Michael Moseley]]
| officeholder_sort     = Moseley, Teed Michael
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1949
| died_year             = 
| term_start            = 2 September 2005{{efn|name=vcsaf}}	
| term_end              = 11 July 2008<br />{{small|''(resigned)''}}
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|2005|09|02|2008|08|11}}
| election              = Fighters
| alt_officeholder      = [[Michael Wynne]]
| cabinet               = Donald Rumsfeld
| cabinet2              = [[Robert Gates]]
| ref                   = <ref name="AF Magazine">{{cite magazine |date=15 December 2016 |title=Air Force Magazine, Volume 100, Issues 1-10 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KRyr-EO_r2oC&dq=moseley+vice+chief+of+staff+air+force+august+2003&pg=RA4-PA127 |url-status=live |magazine=Air Force Magazine |publisher=Air Force Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913075033/https://books.google.com.sg/books?id=KRyr-EO_r2oC&pg=RA4-PA127&lpg=RA4-PA127&dq=moseley+vice+chief+of+staff+air+force+august+2003&source=bl&ots=BkZ7PxXJoR&sig=ACfU3U1JAtkVl5ob3tYgUWMb8OuiXTbTrQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjd1Oymo5H6AhUB-jgGHbXmBPoQ6AF6BAgVEAM |archive-date=13 September 2022 |access-date=13 September 2022}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = -
| image                 = Mcnabb dj4.jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[Duncan McNabb|Duncan J. McNabb]]
| officeholder_sort     = McNabb, Duncan
| officeholder_note     = {{efn|name=acting}}
| acting                = y
| born_year             = 1952
| died_year             = 
| term_start            = 12 July 2008
| term_end              = 12 August 2008
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|2008|07|12|2008|08|12}}
| election              = [[Airlift]]
| alt_officeholder      = [[Michael B. Donley]]
| cabinet               = [[Robert Gates]]
| ref                   = <ref name="AF Magazine"/>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 19
| image                 = Norton A Schwartz 2008 2.jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[Norton A. Schwartz]]
| officeholder_sort     = Schwartz, Norton Allan
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1951
| died_year             = 
| term_start            = 12 August 2008
| term_end              = 10 August 2012
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|2008|08|12|2012|08|10}}
| election              = Airlift and Special Operations aircraft
| alt_officeholder      = [[Michael B. Donley]]
| cabinet               = [[Robert Gates]]
| cabinet2              = [[Leon Panetta]]
| ref                   = <ref>{{cite web|last=Weckerlein|first=Julie|url=https://www.jbmdl.jb.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/245918/general-schwartz-assumes-command-of-air-force/|title=General Schwartz assumes command of Air Force|date=13 August 2008|access-date=3 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003053129/https://www.jbmdl.jb.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/245918/general-schwartz-assumes-command-of-air-force/|archive-date=3 October 2022|publisher=Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs|website=Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 20
| image                 = Gen Mark A. Welsh III CSAF.jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[Mark Welsh|Mark A. Welsh III]]
| officeholder_sort     = Welsh, Mark Anthony III
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1953
| died_year             = 
| term_start            = 10 August 2012
| term_end              = 24 June 2016
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|2012|08|10|2016|06|24}}
| election              = Attack and Fighters
| alt_officeholder      = [[Michael B. Donley]]
| alt_officeholder2     = [[Deborah Lee James]]
| cabinet               = [[Leon Panetta]]
| cabinet2              = [[Chuck Hagel]]
| cabinet3              = [[Ash Carter]]
| ref                   = <ref>{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Shawn|url=https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/322726/welsh-humbled-to-serve-as-air-force-chief-of-staff/|title=Welsh 'humbled' to serve as Air Force chief of staff|date=14 August 2012|access-date=3 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622210036/https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/322726/welsh-humbled-to-serve-as-air-force-chief-of-staff/|archive-date=22 June 2021|publisher=Air Force Public Affairs Agency|website=Buckley Space Force Base}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 21
| image                 = Gen David L. Goldfein (2).jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[David L. Goldfein]]
| officeholder_sort     = Goldfein, David Lee
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1959
| died_year             = 
| term_start            = 1 July 2016{{efn|name=vcsaf}}
| term_end              = 6 August 2020
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|2016|07|01|2020|08|06}}
| election              = Fighters
| alt_officeholder      = [[Deborah Lee James]]
| alt_officeholder2     = [[Heather Wilson]]
| alt_officeholder3     = [[Barbara Barrett]]
| cabinet               = [[Ash Carter]]
| cabinet2              = [[Jim Mattis]]
| cabinet3              = [[Mark Esper]]
| ref                   = <ref>{{cite web|last=Gibson|first=Alyssa|url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/823079/goldfein-swears-in-as-21st-csaf/|title=Goldfein swears in as 21st CSAF|date=1 July 2016|access-date=3 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707190526/https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/823079/goldfein-swears-in-as-21st-csaf/|archive-date=7 July 2022|publisher=Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Command Information|website=U.S. Air Force}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order                 = 22
| image                 = Gen Charles Q. Brown Jr. (2).jpg
| military_rank         = General
| officeholder          = [[Charles Q. Brown Jr.]]
| officeholder_sort     = Brown, Charles Quinton Jr.
| officeholder_note     = 
| born_year             = 1962
| died_year             = 
| term_start            = 6 August 2020
| term_end              = 29 September 2023{{efn|name=cjcs}}	
| timeinoffice          = {{ayd|2020|08|06|2023|09|29}}
| election              = Fighters
| alt_officeholder      = [[Barbara Barrett]]
| alt_officeholder2     = [[Frank Kendall III]]
| cabinet               = [[Mark Esper]]
| cabinet2              = [[Lloyd Austin]]
| ref                   = <ref>{{cite web|last=Pope|first=Charles|url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2303578/brown-formally-installed-as-22nd-air-force-chief-of-staff/|title=Brown formally installed as 22nd Air Force Chief of Staff|date=6 August 2020|access-date=3 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124111623/https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2303578/brown-formally-installed-as-22nd-air-force-chief-of-staff/|archive-date=24 November 2021|publisher=Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs|website=U.S. Air Force}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
}}
| style=background:#e6e6aa; | –{{efn|name=acting}}
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Gen David W. Allvin (3).jpg|100px]]
| data-sort-value="Allvin, David" rowspan="2" | General<br />'''[[David W. Allvin]] '''<br />{{small|(born 1963)}}
| style=background:#e6e6aa; | 29 September 2023
| style=background:#e6e6aa; | 2 November 2023
| style=background:#e6e6aa; | {{ayd|2023|09|29|2023|11|02}}
| rowspan="2" | Airlift
| rowspan="2" | [[Frank Kendall III]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Lloyd Austin]]
| style=background:#e6e6aa; | <ref>{{cite web|last=Pope|first=Charles|url=https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3543307/browns-tenure-as-csaf-leaves-lasting-imprint-on-the-service-its-evolution/|title=Brown's tenure as CSAF leaves lasting imprint on the service, its evolution|date=29 September 2023|access-date=30 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930055204/https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3543307/browns-tenure-as-csaf-leaves-lasting-imprint-on-the-service-its-evolution/|archive-date=30 September 2023|publisher=Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs|location=[[Arlington, Virginia]]|website=[[Air Combat Command]]}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
|-
| 23
| 2 November 2023
| ''Incumbent''
| {{ayd|2023|11|02}}
| <ref name="allvin">{{cite web|last=Hadley|first=Greg|last2=Gordon|first2=Chris|url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/allvin-confirmed-23rd-air-force-chief-of-staff/|title=USAF's New Chief: Allvin Confirmed as Air Force's 23rd Chief of Staff|date=2023-11-02|access-date=2023-01-03|website=[[Air & Space Forces Association|Air & Space Forces Magazine]]}}</ref>
|}

===Timeline===
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:10
PlotArea  = top:10 bottom:50 right:130 left:20
AlignBars = late

DateFormat = yyyy
Period     = from:1945 till:2030
TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal
ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:5 start:1945

Define $now = {{CURRENTYEAR}}

Colors     =
  id:csaf value:rgb(0,0,1) legend: CSAF
  id:vcsaf value:skyblue legend: VCSAF
  id:time value:rgb(0.9,0.9,0.9)

Legend     = orientation:vertical position:right

LineData =
  layer:back
  width:0.1
  color:time
  at:1945
  at:1950
  at:1955
  at:1960
  at:1965
  at:1970
  at:1975
  at:1980
  at:1985
  at:1990
  at:1995
  at:2000
  at:2005
  at:2010
  at:2015
  at:2020
  at:2025
  at:2030

BarData =
 barset:PM
 bar:spaatz
 bar:vandenberg
 bar:twining
 bar:white
 bar:lemay
 bar:mcconnell
 bar:ryanjohn
 bar:browngeorge
 bar:jones
 bar:allen
 bar:gabriel
 bar:welch
 bar:dugan
 bar:mcpeak
 bar:fogleman
 bar:ryanmichael
 bar:jumper
 bar:moseley
 bar:schwartz
 bar:welsh
 bar:goldfein
 bar:browncharles
 bar:allvin

PlotData=
  width:6 align:left fontsize:S shift:(5,-4) anchor:till
  barset:PM
  bar:spaatz from:1947 till:1948 color:csaf text:"[[Carl Spaatz|Spaatz]]"
  bar:vandenberg from:1947 till:1948 color:vcsaf
  bar:vandenberg from:1948 till:1953 color:csaf text:"[[Hoyt Vandenberg|Vandenberg]]"
  bar:twining from:1950 till:1953 color:vcsaf
  bar:twining from:1953 till:1957 color:csaf text:"[[Nathan F. Twining|Twining]]"
  bar:white from:1953 till:1957 color:vcsaf
  bar:white from:1957 till:1961 color:csaf text:"[[Thomas D. White|White]]"
  bar:lemay from:1957 till:1961 color:vcsaf
  bar:lemay from:1961 till:1965 color:csaf text:"[[Curtis LeMay|LeMay]]"
  bar:mcconnell from:1964 till:1965 color:vcsaf
  bar:mcconnell from:1965 till:1969 color:csaf text:"[[John P. McConnell (general)|McConnell]]"
  bar:ryanjohn from:1968 till:1969 color:vcsaf 
  bar:ryanjohn from:1969 till:1973 color:csaf text:"[[John Dale Ryan|J. Ryan]]"
  bar:browngeorge from:1973 till:1974 color:csaf text:"[[George Scratchley Brown|G. Brown]]"
  bar:jones from:1974 till:1978 color:csaf text:"[[David C. Jones|Jones]]"
  bar:allen from:1978 till:1978 color:vcsaf
  bar:allen from:1978 till:1982 color:csaf text:"[[Lew Allen|Allen]]"
  bar:gabriel from:1982 till:1986 color:csaf text:"[[Charles A. Gabriel|Gabriel]]"
  bar:welch from:1984 till:1985 color:vcsaf 
  bar:welch from:1986 till:1990 color:csaf text:"[[Larry D. Welch|Welch]]"
  bar:dugan from:1990 till:1990 color:csaf text:"[[Michael Dugan (general)|Dugan]]"
  bar:mcpeak from:1990 till:1994 color:csaf text:"[[Merrill McPeak|McPeak]]"
  bar:fogleman from:1994 till:1997 color:csaf text:"[[Ronald Fogleman|Fogleman]]"
  bar:ryanmichael from:1997 till:2001 color:csaf text:"[[Michael E. Ryan|M. Ryan]]"
  bar:jumper from:2001 till:2005 color:csaf text:"[[John P. Jumper|Jumper]]"
  bar:moseley from:2003 till:2005 color:vcsaf
  bar:moseley from:2005 till:2008 color:csaf text:"[[T. Michael Moseley|Moseley]]"
  bar:schwartz from:2008 till:2012 color:csaf text:"[[Norton A. Schwartz|Schwartz]]"
  bar:welsh from:2012 till:2016 color:csaf text:"[[Mark Welsh|Welsh]]"
  bar:goldfein from:2015 till:2016 color:vcsaf 
  bar:goldfein from:2016 till:2020 color:csaf text:"[[David L. Goldfein|Goldfein]]"
  bar:browncharles from:2020 till:2023 color:csaf text:"[[Charles Q. Brown Jr.|CQ Brown]]"
  bar:allvin from:2020 till:2023 color:vcsaf
  bar:allvin from:2023 till:$now color:csaf text:"[[David W. Allvin|Allvin]]"
}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Current US Department of Defense Secretaries}}
{{Current JCS members}}
{{US Air Force navbox}}
{{US military navbox}}
{{Chief of the air force by country}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chief Of Staff Of The Air Force}}
[[Category:Air force chiefs of staff|United States]]
[[Category:Chiefs of staff of the United States Air Force| ]]
[[Category:Joint Chiefs of Staff|US]]
[[Category:United States Air Force appointments]]
[[Category:United States Air Force generals|*]]