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DND/CF > RCAF > Who We Are - The Air Force Staff > Organization Overview

The Air Force Staff

Organization Overview

As the senior Air Force officer in the Canadian military, the Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force and Chief of the Air Force Staff acts as an advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff on stategic Air Force issues. He is also responsible for training, generating and maintaining combat capable, multi-purpose air forces to meet Canada's defence objectives. 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 13 functional directorates:

  • The Directorate of Air Public Affairs is responsible for providing the Commander of the RCAF 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 of Air Programs 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 administrative and staffing activities, provides personnel, administrative, financial and IM/IT support to the Air Staff, leads and support the Air Reserve Flight Ottawa, Central Band and the RCAF Pipes and Drums, and administers the Canadian Air Force participation in the SICOFAA (System of Cooperation Among the Air Forces of the Americas) program.

  • The Directorate of Air Staff Operational Research conducts strategic operational research and analysis in support of the Commander of the RCAF 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 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 Air Personnel Strategy deals with long-term personnel issues and plans within the Air Force. The directorate focuses on human resources matters that are five to ten years into the future.