Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)

Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) is the title of the professional head of the Royal Air Force, who is a member of both the Chiefs of Staff Committee and the Air Force Board. The post was created in 1918, with Major General Sir Hugh Trenchard as the first holder. The current and 32nd Chief of the Air Staff is Air Chief Marshal Sir Harvey Smyth, who succeeded Sir Richard Knighton on 29 August 2025.