The Highest Ranking Officer in the Air Force
The highest possible rank in the United States Air Force is General of the Air Force (GAF), a five-star general officer rank. It is equivalent to General of the Army in the United States Army and Fleet Admiral in the United States Navy. The GAF rank is only bestowed during wartime and is currently held by only one individual, General Henry H. Arnold.
Chief of Staff of the Air Force
The current highest-ranking officer in the Air Force is General David W. Allvin, who serves as the Chief of Staff of the Air Force (CSAF). The CSAF is the principal military advisor to the Secretary of the Air Force and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The CSAF is responsible for the organization, training, and equipping of 689,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian personnel.
Responsibilities of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force
As the CSAF, General Allvin has the following responsibilities:
Key Facts
- General of the Air Force (GAF) is a five-star general officer rank and is the highest possible rank in the United States Air Force.
- The General of the Air Force ranks immediately above a general and is equivalent to General of the Army in the United States Army and Fleet Admiral in the United States Navy.
- The current highest ranking officer in the Air Force is General David W. Allvin, who serves as the Chief of Staff of the Air Force (CSAF).
- As the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Allvin is responsible for the organization, training, and equipping of 689,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian personnel.
- The Chief of Staff of the Air Force is the principal military advisor to the Secretary of the Air Force on matters pertaining to the Air Force.
- The Chief of Staff of the Air Force is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and serves as a military advisor to the National Security Council, the Secretary of Defense, and the President.
- The Chief of Staff of the Air Force is typically the highest-ranking officer on active duty in the Air Force, unless the chairman and/or the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are Air Force officers.
- Advising the Secretary of the Air Force on matters pertaining to the Air Force
- Overseeing the organization, training, and equipping of Air Force personnel
- Representing the Air Force on the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Serving as a military advisor to the National Security Council, the Secretary of Defense, and the President
Qualifications for the Chief of Staff of the Air Force
To be eligible for the position of CSAF, an officer must have the following qualifications:
- Be a brigadier general or above
- Have significant joint duty experience
- Have served at least one full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment as a general officer
Sources
FAQs
Who is the highest ranking officer in the Air Force?
The highest ranking officer in the Air Force is General of the Air Force (GAF), a five-star general officer rank.
Who is the current Chief of Staff of the Air Force?
The current Chief of Staff of the Air Force is General David W. Allvin.
What are the responsibilities of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force?
The Chief of Staff of the Air Force is responsible for the organization, training, and equipping of 689,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian personnel. The Chief of Staff is also the principal military advisor to the Secretary of the Air Force and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
What are the qualifications for the Chief of Staff of the Air Force?
To be eligible for the position of Chief of Staff of the Air Force, an officer must be a brigadier general or above, have significant joint duty experience, and have served at least one full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment as a general officer.
How many people have held the rank of General of the Air Force?
Only one person has ever held the rank of General of the Air Force: General Henry H. Arnold.
Is the Chief of Staff of the Air Force always the highest-ranking officer in the Air Force?
Typically, yes, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force is the highest-ranking officer on active duty in the Air Force. However, if the chairman and/or the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are Air Force officers, they may outrank the Chief of Staff.
What is the difference between the rank of General of the Air Force and the rank of General?
The rank of General of the Air Force is a five-star general officer rank, while the rank of General is a four-star general officer rank. The rank of General of the Air Force is equivalent to the rank of General of the Army in the United States Army and Fleet Admiral in the United States Navy.