Chief of Staff of the French Air Force


The Chief of Staff of the French Air Force is the head of the French Air Force and is responsible to the Minister of the Armed Forces in relation to preparation and deployment. They are a subordinate of the Chief of the Defense Staff and their deputy is the Major General of the Air Force. Since the 50s, the office has been held only by five stars generals. The current Chief is Général Philippe Lavigne since 31 August 2018.

History

Before World War II

The office was officially created in December 1928 in the 1929 Law of Finances. It proposed the creation of a top command for the "Aéronautique militaire", still under the authority of the Army, which would succeed the function of Direction of Military Aeronautics. The French Air Force became independent in 1934, and the Chief obtained full authority.

During World War II

After the armistice, Germany imposed severe restrictions on the size of the French Air Force. As a result, the scope of authority of the Chief was limited, and the office was ultimately eliminated alongside the Air Force.

After World War II

Free France and the subsequent governments of the re-established French Republic recreated the office at the end of the war.

Name of the office

The office took various names during its history:
The following is a list of chiefs that served under the Third Republic, the French State, the Fourth Republic and the Fifth Republic:

Third Republic

French State

Fourth Republic

Fifth Republic

Free France

From its creation in 1940 to the final integration of its air force to the regular French Air Force, Free France had its own staff, based in London. The Free French Aerial Forces were headed by a Commander, responsible to the Commander-in-Chief of the Free French Forces, and was assisted by a Chief of the General Staff.

Commanders of the Free French Aerial Forces

Chiefs of the General Staff

Explanatory notes

Citations