The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS)

The Chief of the Air Staff acts as both an advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff on air force issues as well as Commander of Air Command. The operational and tactical control of the Air Force rests with the Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division (1 Cdn Air Div), headquartered in Winnipeg. Tactical control is vested in the 13 Wings, equivalent elements and units that comprise 1 Cdn Air Div. Canadian NORAD Region Headquarters (CANR) is integrated into the headquarters in Winnipeg. The Commander of 1 Cdn Air Div also commands CANR.

The Air Staff is organized into 14 functional directorates:

The Directorate of Air Public Affairs is responsible for providing CAS with strategic level advice and policy coordination for all air force public affairs activities.

The Directorate of Air Strategic Plans is responsible for the production of Air Force strategic assessments, guidance and coordination of strategic planning issues with other level one staffs. It also functions as the chair designate for Air Force Research and Development coordination, air member of the Canadian Forces doctrine board and coordinator for international Air Force to Air Force linkages.

The Directorate of Air Force Employment is responsible for the coordination of air forces employment with 1 Cdn Air Div, the other environments, the planning staff, external agencies and foreign air forces.

The Directorate of Air Requirements is responsible for the development and advancement of Air Force projects through the Defence Management System, and for Air Force capital project advice to senior Air Force leadership.

The Directorate of Air Comptrollership and Business Management provides strategic costing and financial management support to the Air Force, is mandated to provide independent advice to senior management in three main areas of responsibilities: Audits and Reviews; National Programs; and, Special Examinations. This directorate is also responsible for Business Planning and Performance Measurement and Performance Measurement Framework.

The Directorate Air Personnel Production Development provides strategic advice to the Chief of Air Staff on air military occupations management and individual training, education, and professional development policy and production. The directorate also sustains air force capabilities and readiness to meet Defence Program Tasks.

The Directorate of Air Program is responsible for activities that shape the delivery of air force capabilities for the Canadian Forces throughout Horizon 1; that is to say, for the zero to five year timeframe.

The Directorate Air Staff Coordination coordinates Air Staff (AS) administrative and staffing activities, provides personnel, administrative, financial and IM/IT support to the AS, leads and support the AR Flt Ottawa, Central Band and the Air Command Pipes and Drums, and administers the Canadian Air Force participation in the SICOFAA program.

The Directorate of Air Staff Operational Research conducts strategic operational research and analysis in support of the Chief of the Air Staff by providing a scientific basis for assessing policy, plans and decisions.

The Directorate of Flight Safety is responsible for investigating flight safety related occurrences and monitoring the Canadian Forces airworthiness program to identify and mitigate issues and deficiencies within the Air Force.

The Director Air Contracted Force Generation provides strategic and corporate-level coordination for Force Generation activities that are delivered to the Air Force using Alternative Service Delivery. Five large and diversified activities are included within this scope; NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC), Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS), Foreign Military Training in Goose Bay (FMT-GB), Contracted Airborne Training Services (CATS), and International Training Programs (ITP).

The Directorate of Air Personnel Management and Services is responsible for providing strategic advice and guidance regarding CF and Air Force personnel policies. This includes career management issues, grievances, support and administration services.

The Directorate of Air Civilian Management Services provides strategic direction for civilian personnel management in support of air force requirements.

The Directorate of Air Reserves supports the Director General Air Reserves in the development of strategic direction for the Air Reserves and the coordination of pan-reserve and strategic Air Reserves issues.