Air Staff is the body of

Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...

officers responsible for the running of the RAF. Generally, the heads of the various departments of the Air Staff formed, together with members of the

Air Ministry The Air Ministry was a department of the Government of the United Kingdom with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force, that existed from 1918 to 1964. It was under the political authority of the Secretary of State ...

(the British government department in charge of aviation matters), the

Air Council Air Council (or Air Force Council) was the governing body of the Royal Air Force until the merger of the Air Ministry with the other armed forces ministries to form the Ministry of Defence in 1964. It was succeeded by the Air Force Board. Mem ...

. The Air Staff issued "Targets" (AST) which were a stated requirement for an aircraft to fulfil a role within the RAF. E.g Air Staff Target 362 was for a trainer aircraft to replace the

Folland Gnat The Folland Gnat is a British compact swept-wing subsonic fighter aircraft that was developed and produced by Folland Aircraft. Envisioned as an affordable light fighter in contrast to the rising cost and size of typical combat aircraft, it wa ...

, the resulting aircraft was the

SEPECAT Jaguar The SEPECAT Jaguar is an Anglo-French jet attack aircraft originally used by the British Royal Air Force and the French Air Force in the close air support and nuclear strike role. It is still in service with the Indian Air Force. Originall ...

. When a specification moved from the initial requirements to a production contract, it became an Air Staff Requirement (ASR).

Composition

The Air Staff was composed of several posts. * Chief of the Air Staff *

Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS) may refer to: * Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Australia) * Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (India) * Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Pakistan) * Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom) The Deputy Chief ...

(1918-1968/9) * Assistant Chief of the Air Staff - replaced Vice Chief and two Assistant Chief posts * Vice Chief of the Air Staff (1940-1985) *

Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Policy) The Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (ACAS) is a senior appointment in the Royal Air Force. The current ACAS is Air Vice-Marshal Simon Edwards. The post was originally established circa February 1938, but without being made a member of the Air ...

(? -1985) *

Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) The Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (ACAS) is a senior appointment in the Royal Air Force. The current ACAS is Air Vice-Marshal Simon Edwards. The post was originally established circa February 1938, but without being made a member of the Air ...

-(? -1985) *

Air Member for Development and Production The atmosphere of Earth is the layer of gases, known collectively as air, retained by Earth's gravity that surrounds the planet and forms its planetary atmosphere. The atmosphere of Earth protects life on Earth by creating pressure allowing for ...

(Air Council title) *

Air Member for Training The atmosphere of Earth is the layer of gases, known collectively as air, retained by Earth's gravity that surrounds the planet and forms its planetary atmosphere. The atmosphere of Earth protects life on Earth by creating pressure allowing for ...

(Air Council title) *

Air Member for Technical Services The atmosphere of Earth is the layer of gases, known collectively as air, retained by Earth's gravity that surrounds the planet and forms its planetary atmosphere. The atmosphere of Earth protects life on Earth by creating pressure allowing for ...

(Air Council title) * Air Member for Supply and Organisation (Air Council title, 1923-present)

Notes and references

* * * {{cite web , url= http://www.rafweb.org/Organsation/AirMin1.htm , title=Development of the Air Staff , first=M. B. , last=Barrass , work=Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation , year=2016 , accessdate=17 April 2016 Royal Air Force