The post of Flag Officer Naval Air Stations was established in May 1939 to provide land based support for the Fleet Air Arm, that was transferred from the RAF to the Royal Navy. The office holder was originally styled Rear Admiral, Naval Air Stations and was responsible for building and developing naval air stations with different capabilities. In May 1945 the post was re-styled Flag Officer Air Home.
Rear Admiral Richard Bell-Davies: 24 May 1939 – 30 September 1941
Rear Admiral Clement Moody: 30 September 1941 – April 1943
Vice Admiral Cloudesley Robinson: April 1943 – April 1945
Flag Officer, Air, Home
Flag Officer, Air, Home flew his flag from RNAS Lee-on-Solent and the post existed until 1963. Responsible for shore-based air command working up squadrons to operational effectiveness, and after an Operational Readiness Inspection, delivering them to the Fleet.
Vice-Admiral Sir Cloudesley Robinson: May 1945
Vice-Admiral Denis Boyd: June 1945 – April 1946
Rear-Admiral Geoffrey N. Oliver: April–September 1946
Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas H. Troubridge: September 1946 – November 1947
Admiral Sir Reginald Portal: November 1947 – March 1951
Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Lambe: March 1951 – January 1953
Vice-Admiral Sir John Eccles: January 1953 – June 1955
Vice-Admiral Sir Caspar John: June 1955 – March 1957
Admiral Sir Walter Couchman: March 1957 – January 1960
Admiral Sir Deric Holland-Martin: January 1960 – May 1961
Vice-Admiral Desmond Dreyer: May 1961 – October 1962
Vice-Admiral Sir John Hamilton: October 1962 – January 1964
Vice-Admiral Sir Richard M. Smeeton: January 1964 – October 1965
Vice-Admiral Sir Donald C.E.F. Gibson: October 1965 – October 1968
Vice-Admiral Sir H. Richard B. Janvrin: October 1968 – November 1970
Vice-Admiral Michael F. Fell: November 1970 – June 1972
Vice-Admiral John D. Treacher: June 1972 – August 1973
Vice-Admiral Sir Peter M. Austin: August 1973 – August 1976
Rear-Admiral John O. Roberts: August 1976 – February 1978
Vice-Admiral Sir A. Desmond Cassidi: February 1978 – June 1979
Rear-Admiral Edward R. Anson: June 1979 – May 1982
Vice-Admiral Sir John Cox: May 1982 – September 1983
Vice-Admiral Sir Derek Reffell: September 1983 – September 1984
Rear-Admiral Linley Middleton: September 1984 – February 1987
Rear-Admiral Roger Dimmock: February 1987 – August 1988
Rear-Admiral Michael Layard: August 1988 – December 1990
Rear-Admiral Colin H.D. Cooke-Priest: December 1990 – February 1993
Rear-Admiral Ian Garnett: February 1993 – June 1995
Rear-Admiral Terence W. Loughran: June 1995 – October 1998
Rear-Admiral Iain Henderson: October 1998 – July 2001
Rear-Admiral Scott Lidbetter: July 2001–2003
Rear-Admiral Simon B. Charlier: September 2008 – April 2010
Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Aviation & Carrier Strike)
In 2012, this post's responsibilities were officially described as '..ACNS is responsible for delivering aviation Force Elements at Readiness in accordance with the RN plan and arising, contingent events. This includes all RN fixed and rotary wing assets, the two Naval Air Stations and the generation of aircraft carriers and carrier capability. He is the lead, on behalf of the Fleet Commander, for the development of the future Carrier Strike capability. As the Navy’s Aviation Operational Duty Holder, he is personally, legally accountable for the safe execution of maritime aviation by all Royal Navy units, including aircraft, ships and submarines. ACNS is also Rear Admiral Fleet Air Arm in which role, as a Head of a Naval Fighting Arm, he is responsible for the professional effectiveness, ethos and spirit of all Fleet Air Arm personnel.'
Rear-Admiral Thomas A. Cunningham: April 2010 – September 2012
Rear-Admiral Russell G. Harding: September 2012 – May 2015
Rear-Admiral Keith E. Blount: May 2015 – February 2019
Rear-Admiral Martin J. Connell: February 2019–Present
