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Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force
Head of the French Air and Space Force
Summary
Head of the French Air and Space Force
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| post | Chief |
| body | the Air and |
| Space Force Staff | |
| native_name | *Chef d'état-major de l'armée |
| de l'air et de l'espace* | |
| flag | Marque CEMAA.svg |
| flagcaption | Honor flag |
| incumbent | General |
| incumbentsince | 15 September 2024 |
| department | Ministry of the Armed Forces |
| type | Chief of Staff |
| abbreviation | CEMAAE |
| member_of | Chiefs of Staff Committee |
| reports_to | Chief of the Defense Staff |
| seat | Hexagone Balard, Paris |
| appointer | President of the Republic |
| appointer_qualified | Requires the Prime Minister's countersignature |
| precursor | Director of Military Aeronautics |
| formation | |
| first | Henry Michaud |
| deputy | Major General of the Air and Space Force |
| website | defense.gouv.fr/air |
Space Force Staff de l'air et de l'espace* The Chief of the Air and Space Force Staff (, CEMAAE) is the military head of the French Air and Space Force. The chief directs the air and space force staff and acts as the principal advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff on subjects concerning the Air and Space Force. As such, they ensure the operational preparedness of their service branch, express their need for military and civilian personnel, and are responsible for maintaining the discipline, morale and conduct of their troops. Special responsibilities can be assigned to them in relation to nuclear safety.
The chief does not have a fixed term, nor an attached rank. In practice, however, a term has never exceeded five years and all chiefs since the late 1940s have been five–stars generals (OF–09). They are assisted in their duties by the Major General of the Air and Space Force who will deputise if needed.
The current chief, General Jérôme Bellanger, has been serving since 15 September 2024.
History
Interwar
The office was officially created in December 1928 in the 1929 Law of Finances. It proposed the creation of a high command for the Military Aeronautics, still under the authority of the Army, which would succeed the function of the Direction of Military Aeronautics. The French Air Force became independent in 1934, and the Chief obtained full authority.
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.
Postwar
Free France and the subsequent governments of the re-established French Republic recreated the office at the end of the war.
Office holders
Third Republic
| No. | Portrait | Rank & Name | Term | Minister of Air | Commander-in-Chief | Ref. | Took office | Left office | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [[File:General Henry Louis Gabriel MICHAUD.jpg | 80px]] | Division general | ||||||
| Henry Michaud | 1 June 1930 | 5 January 1931 | Laurent Eynac | ||||||
| Paul Painlevé | Gaston Doumergue | {{cite journal | last = | ||||||
| 2 | [[File:Général Barès de l'aviation (portrait) (cropped).jpg | 80px]] | Division general | ||||||
| Joseph Barès | 5 January 1931 | 28 August 1931 | Paul Painlevé | ||||||
| Jacques-Louis Dumesnil | {{cite journal | last = | first = | ||||||
| Paul Doumer | |||||||||
| 3 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Division general | ||||||
| Lucien Hergault | 28 August 1931 | 16 January 1933 | Jacques-Louis Dumesnil | ||||||
| Paul Painlevé | {{cite journal | last = | first = | ||||||
| Albert Lebrun | |||||||||
| 4 | [[File:Général Barès de l'aviation (portrait) (cropped).jpg | 80px]] | Division general | ||||||
| Joseph Barès | 16 January 1933 | 2 April 1933 | Paul Painlevé | ||||||
| Pierre Cot | {{cite journal | last = | first = | ||||||
| 5 | [[File:Victor Denain.jpg | 80px]] | Air division general | ||||||
| Victor Denain | 2 April 1933 | 16 February 1934 | Pierre Cot | {{cite journal | last = | first = | |||
| 6 | [[File:Général Barès de l'aviation (portrait) (cropped).jpg | 80px]] | Air division general | ||||||
| Joseph Barès | 16 February 1934 | 3 September 1934 | Victor Denain | {{cite journal | last = | first = | |||
| 7 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air division general | ||||||
| Louis Picard | 3 September 1934 | 27 December 1935 | Victor Denain | {{cite journal | last = | first = | |||
| 8 | [[File:Colonel Pujo, Directeur de l'Aéronautique militaire au Ministère de la Guerre.jpg | 80px]] | Air division general | ||||||
| Bernard Pujo | 27 December 1935 | 15 October 1936 | Victor Denain | ||||||
| Marcel Déat | {{cite journal | last = | first = | ||||||
| 9 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air division general | ||||||
| Philippe Féquant | 15 October 1936 | 2 February 1938 | Marcel Déat | ||||||
| Pierre Cot | |||||||||
| Guy La Chambre | {{cite journal | last = | first = | ||||||
| 10 | [[File:Lieutenant colonel Vuillemin.jpg | 80px]] | Air division general | ||||||
| Joseph Vuillemin | 22 February 1938 | ... | ... | Guy La Chambre | {{cite journal | last = | first = | ||
| 11 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Louis Picard | ... | 10 September 1940 | ... | Laurent Eynac | |||||
| Bertrand Pujo | |||||||||
| Jean Bergeret | - | ||||||||
| Philippe Pétain |
French State
| No. | Portrait | Rank & Name | Term | Minister of Air | Commander-in-Chief | Ref. | Took office | Left office | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | [[File:Colonel Odic.jpg | 80px]] | Air corps general | ||||||
| Robert Odic | 10 September 1940 | 23 September 1940 | Jean Bergeret | Philippe Pétain | {{cite journal | last = | |||
| 13 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air brigade general | ||||||
| Jean Romatet | 23 September 1940 | 21 December 1942 | Jean Bergeret | ||||||
| Jean-François Jannekeyn | {{cite journal | last = | first = |
Provisional Government
| No. | Portrait | Rank & Name | Term | Minister of Air | Commander-in-Chief | Ref. | Took office | Left office | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Martial Valin | 3 November 1944 | 1 March 1946 | Charles Tillon | ||||||
| Vacant | Charles de Gaulle | - | |||||||
| Félix Gouin | |||||||||
| 15 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| René Bouscat | 1 March 1946 | 7 September 1946 | Vacant | {{cite journal | last = | first = | |||
| Georges Bidault | |||||||||
| 16 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air division general | ||||||
| Paul Gérardot | 7 September 1946 | 15 February 1947 | Vacant | {{cite journal | last = | first = | |||
| Vincent Auriol |
Fourth Republic
| No. | Portrait | Rank & Name | Term | Minister of the Armed Forces | Commander-in-Chief | Ref. | Took office | Left office | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air division general | ||||||
| Jean Piollet | 15 February 1947 | 1 February 1948 | Vacant | ||||||
| André Maroselli | |||||||||
| Pierre-Henri Teitgen | Vincent Auriol | {{cite journal | last = | ||||||
| 18 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Charles Léchères | 1 February 1948 | 22 August 1953 | Pierre-Henri Teitgen | ||||||
| René Mayer | |||||||||
| [...] | |||||||||
| Georges Bidault | |||||||||
| René Pleven | {{cite journal | last = | first = | ||||||
| 19 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Pierre Fay | 22 August 1953 | 22 March 1955 | René Pleven | ||||||
| Marie-Pierre Kœnig | |||||||||
| Emmanuel Temple | |||||||||
| Jacques Chevalier | |||||||||
| Marie-Pierre Kœnig | {{cite journal | last = | first = | ||||||
| René Coty | |||||||||
| 20 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Paul Bailly | 22 March 1955 | 18 March 1958 | Marie-Pierre Kœnig | ||||||
| Pierre Billotte | |||||||||
| Maurice Bourgès-Maunoury | |||||||||
| André Morice | |||||||||
| Jacques Chaban-Delmas | {{cite journal | last = | first = | ||||||
| 21 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Max Gelée | 18 March 1958 | 2 October 1958 | Jacques Chaban-Delmas | ||||||
| Pierre de Chevigné | |||||||||
| Charles de Gaulle | {{cite journal | last = | first = |
Fifth Republic
| No. | Portrait | Rank & Name | Term | Minister of the Armed Forces | Commander-in-Chief | Ref. | Took office | Left office | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | [[File:Edmond Jouhaud 1961.jpg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Edmond Jouhaud | 2 October 1958 | 15 March 1960 | Charles de Gaulle | ||||||
| Pierre Guillaumat | René Coty | ||||||||
| Charles de Gaulle | {{cite journal | last = | |||||||
| 23 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Paul Stehlin | 15 March 1960 | 1 October 1963 | Pierre Guillaumat | ||||||
| Pierre Messmer | Charles de Gaulle | {{cite journal | last = | ||||||
| 24 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| André Martin | 1 October 1963 | 27 February 1967 | Pierre Messmer | Charles de Gaulle | - | ||||
| 25 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Philippe Maurin | 27 February 1967 | 13 December 1969 | Pierre Messmer | ||||||
| Michel Debré | Charles de Gaulle | ||||||||
| Georges Pompidou | {{cite journal | last = | |||||||
| 26 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Gabriel Gauthier | 13 December 1969 | 12 December 1972 | Michel Debré | Georges Pompidou | - | ||||
| 27 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Claude Grigaut | 12 December 1972 | 24 June 1976 | Michel Debré | ||||||
| Robert Galley | |||||||||
| Jacques Soufflet | |||||||||
| Yvon Bourges | Georges Pompidou | ||||||||
| Valéry Giscard d'Estaing | |||||||||
| 28 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Maurice Saint-Cricq | 24 June 1976 | 16 July 1979 | Yvon Bourges | Valéry Giscard d'Estaing | |||||
| 29 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Guy Fleury | 16 July 1979 | 11 June 1982 | Yvon Bourges | ||||||
| Joël Le Theule | |||||||||
| Robert Galley | |||||||||
| Charles Hernu | Valéry Giscard d'Estaing | ||||||||
| François Mitterrand | |||||||||
| 30 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Bernard Capillon | 11 June 1982 | 16 October 1986 | Charles Hernu | ||||||
| Paul Quilès | |||||||||
| André Giraud | François Mitterrand | ||||||||
| 31 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Achille Lerche | 16 October 1986 | 25 April 1989 | André Giraud | ||||||
| Jean-Pierre Chevènement | François Mitterrand | ||||||||
| 32 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Jean Fleury | 25 April 1989 | 2 December 1991 | Jean-Pierre Chevènement | ||||||
| Pierre Joxe | François Mitterrand | ||||||||
| 33 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Vincent Lanata | 2 December 1991 | 1 July 1994 | Pierre Joxe | ||||||
| François Léotard | François Mitterrand | ||||||||
| 34 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Jean-Philippe Douin | 1 July 1994 | 1 September 1995 | François Léotard | ||||||
| Charles Millon | François Mitterrand | ||||||||
| Jacques Chirac | |||||||||
| 35 | [[File:Jean Rannou par Claude Truong-Ngoc septembre 2015.jpg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Jean Rannou | 1 September 1995 | 2 July 2000 | Charles Millon | ||||||
| Alain Richard | Jacques Chirac | ||||||||
| 36 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Jean-Pierre Job | 2 July 2000 | 1 September 2002 | Alain Richard | ||||||
| Michèle Alliot-Marie | Jacques Chirac | ||||||||
| 37 | [[File:Portrait - Richard Wolsztynski.jpg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Richard Wolsztynski | 1 September 2002 | 16 July 2006 | Michèle Alliot-Marie | Jacques Chirac | |||||
| 38 | [[File:Portrait - Stéphane Abrial.jpg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Stéphane Abrial | 16 July 2006 | 25 August 2009 | Michèle Alliot-Marie | ||||||
| Hervé Morin | Jacques Chirac | ||||||||
| Nicolas Sarkozy | |||||||||
| 39 | [[File:Jean-Paul Paloméros cropped.JPG | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Jean-Paul Paloméros | 25 August 2009 | 17 September 2012 | Hervé Morin | ||||||
| Alain Juppé | |||||||||
| Gérard Longuet | |||||||||
| Jean-Yves Le Drian | Nicolas Sarkozy | ||||||||
| François Hollande | |||||||||
| 40 | [[File:Portrait - Denis Mercier.jpg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Denis Mercier | 17 September 2012 | 21 September 2015 | Jean-Yves Le Drian | François Hollande | |||||
| 41 | [[File:Portrait - André Lanata.jpg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| André Lanata | 21 September 2015 | 31 August 2018 | Jean-Yves Le Drian | ||||||
| Sylvie Goulard | |||||||||
| Florence Parly | François Hollande | ||||||||
| Emmanuel Macron | |||||||||
| 42 | [[File:Philiippe LAVIGNE 18-11-2019.jpg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Philippe Lavigne | 31 August 2018 | 9 September 2021 | Florence Parly | Emmanuel Macron | |||||
| 43 | [[File:Stephane Mille (7134468) (cropped).jpeg | 80px]] | Air army general | ||||||
| Stéphane Mille | 10 September 2021 | Incumbent | Florence Parly | ||||||
| Sébastien Lecornu | Emmanuel Macron |
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
| No. | Portrait | Rank & Name | Term | Commissioner | Leader | Ref. | Took office | Left office | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [[File:Admiral Muselier-Le Courrier de l'Air (cropped).jpg | 80px]] | Vice admiral | ||||||
| Emile Muselier | 1 July 1940 | 10 July 1941 | Vacant | Charles de Gaulle | |||||
| 2 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air brigade general | ||||||
| Martial Valin | 10 July 1941 | 2 July 1943 | Vacant | ||||||
| 3 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Air corps general | ||||||
| René Bouscat | 2 July 1943 | 3 November 1944 | Martial Valin | ||||||
| André Le Troquer | |||||||||
| Fernand Grenier |
Chiefs of the General Staff
| No. | Portrait | Rank & Name | Term | Commissioner | Leader | Ref. | Took office | Left office | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Capitaine | ||||||
| Eugène-Marcel Chevrier | 1 July 1940 | 25 December 1940 | Vacant | Charles de Gaulle | - | ||||
| 2 | [[File:Charles Pijeaud.jpg | 80px]] | Lieutenant-colonel | ||||||
| Charles Pijeaud | 13 January 1941 | 31 March 1941 | Vacant | - | |||||
| 3 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Général de brigade aérienne | ||||||
| Martial Henri Valin | 31 March 1941 | 10 July 1941 | Vacant | - | |||||
| 4 | [[File:Charles Pijeaud.jpg | 80px]] | Lieutenant-colonel | ||||||
| Charles Pijeaud | 10 July 1941 | 1 December 1941 | Vacant | ||||||
| Martial Henri Valin | - | ||||||||
| 5 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Colonel | ||||||
| Charles Luguet | 1 December 1941 | 13 April 1942 | Martial Henri Valin | - | |||||
| 6 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Colonel | ||||||
| Pierre Coustey | 13 April 1942 | 13 April 1943 | Martial Henri Valin | - | |||||
| 7 | [[File:Blanco portrait.svg | 80px]] | Colonel | ||||||
| Georges Andrieu | 13 April 1943 | 3 November 1944 | Martial Henri Valin | ||||||
| André Le Troquer | |||||||||
| Fernand Grenier | - |
Notes
References
References
- Government of the French Republic. (10 August 1939). "Marks, honors, salutes and visits in the naval forces and on board naval vessels".
- French Air and Space Force. "The Chief of the Air and Space Force Staff".
- [https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000019856541 Defence Code – Article R3224–4 § 3]
- [https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000029944736 Defence Code – Article R*3121–25 § 1]
- [https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000029944736 Defence Code – Article R*3121–25 § 2]
- [https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000029944736 Defence Code – Article R*3121–25 § 3]
- [https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000019856541 Defence Code – Article R3224–4 § 2]
- Government of the French Republic. (28 December 1928). "Low of Finances for 1929 – Article 116".
- (14 August 1943). "GENERAL PICARD; Chief of 'the French Air Force General Staff Until 1940". [[The New York Times]].
- (22 July 1938). "French Air Staff Chief Will Make Visit to Reich". [[The New York Times]].
- (24 November 1941). "General Odic Joins Free French". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
- (3 May 1953). "Foes of Laos in Regrouping". [[The Baltimore Sun]].
- (14 March 1958). "French Air Force Staff Chief Resigns". [[St. Petersburg Independent]].
- (13 April 1962). "O.A.S. Leader Denies Part in Hold-up". [[The Age]].
- (23 June 1975). "GEN. PAUL STEHLIN OF FRANCE, 67, DIES; Figured in the Controversy on New Fighter Plane". [[The New York Times]].
- Government of the French Republic. (6 December 1972). "Décret portant affectation d'un officier général".
- Government of the French Republic. (31 May 1976). "Décret portant affectation d'un officier général".
- Government of the French Republic. (11 June 1979). "Décret portant affectation d'un officier général".
- Government of the French Republic. (24 March 1982). "Décret portant affectation d'un officier général".
- Government of the French Republic. (8 September 1986). "Décret portant affectation d'un officier général".
- Government of the French Republic. (3 April 1989). "Décret portant affectation d'un officier général".
- Government of the French Republic. (9 October 1991). "Décret portant affectation d'un officier général".
- Government of the French Republic. (9 May 1994). "Décret portant affectation d'un officier général".
- Government of the French Republic. (3 August 1995). "Décret portant affectation d'un officier général".
- Government of the French Republic. (25 May 2000). "Décret portant affectation d'un officier général".
- Government of the French Republic. (18 July 2002). "Décret portant affectation d'un officier général".
- Government of the French Republic. (1 June 2006). "Décret portant affectation d'un officier général".
- Government of the French Republic. (20 July 2009). "Décret portant affectation d'un officier général".
- Stacy Meichtry & Marion Halftermeyer. (5 June 2014). "Last of Surviving D-Day Veterans Battle Time to Bear Witness". [[The Wall Street Journal]].
- Government of the French Republic. (2 August 2012). "Décret portant affectation d'un officier général".
- (29 January 2015). "Greek fighter jet crash 'due to takeoff fault'". [[BBC]].
- Government of the French Republic. (4 June 2015). "Décret portant affectation d'un officier général".
- (11 September 2018). "NATO welcomes new Supreme Allied Commander Transformation". [[NATO]].
- Government of the French Republic. (18 August 2018). "Décret portant affectation d'un officier général".
- Brian Everstine. (2 July 2019). "French Air Force Begins Research into Sixth Generation Aircraft". Air Force Magazine.
- Bastien Carris. (15 September 2021). "New Chief of the Air Staff takes up his duties".
- National Order of Liberation. "Émile Muselier".
- Government of Free France. (5 July 1941). "Décret du portant nomination du Commandant des Forces Aériennes Françaises Libres".
- Government of Free France. (1 July 1943). "Décret portant affectation d'un officier général".
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