Commander, Naval Air Forces

{{Short description|Type Command for U.S. Naval air forces operating primarily in the Pacific}} {{one source|date=May 2010}} {{Infobox official post | post = Commander, Naval Air Forces and Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific | native_name = CNAF (COMNAVAIRFOR) and CNAP (COMNAVAIRFORPAC) | insignia = Commander, Naval Air Forces.png | insigniasize = | insigniacaption = Insignia of the Commander, Naval Air Forces and Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific | image = VADM Douglas C. Verissimo (2).jpg | imagesize = | alt = | incumbent = [[Vice admiral (United States)|Vice Admiral]] [[Douglas C. Verissimo]] | acting = | incumbentsince = 2 February 2026 | type = Type Commander | status = | department = [[United States Department of the Navy|Department of the Navy]] | style = | member_of = | reports_to = [[Chief of Naval Operations]] [[United States Pacific Fleet|Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet]] | residence = | seat = [[Naval Air Station North Island]] | nominator = | appointer = | appointer_qualified = | termlength = | termlength_qualified = | constituting_instrument = | precursor = | formation = CNAF – October 2001 CNAP – July 29, 1942 | first = [[Admiral (United States)|Admiral]] [[John B. Nathman]] | unofficial_names = "Air Boss" | deputy = Deputy Commander, Naval Air Forces | website = https://www.airpac.navy.mil/ }}

The '''Commander, Naval Air Forces''' ({{aka}} '''COMNAVAIRFOR''', and '''CNAF'''; and dual-hatted as '''Commander''', '''Naval Air Force''', '''Pacific''', and '''COMNAVAIRPAC''') is the aviation [[U.S. Navy type commands|type commander]] (TYCOM) for all [[United States Navy]] naval aviation units. Type commanders are in administrative control (ADCON), and in some cases operational control (OPCON) of certain types of assets (ships, submarines, aircraft, and Fleet Marines) assigned to the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets. AIRFOR is responsible for the materiel readiness, administration, training, and inspection of units/squadrons under their command, and for providing operationally ready air squadrons and aircraft carriers to the fleet.

COMNAVAIRFOR is a [[Vice admiral (United States)|three-star]] headquarters, based at [[NAS North Island]] in [[Coronado, California]]. The current commander is VADM [[Douglas C. Verissimo]]. The staff is made up of about 515 officer, enlisted, civilian and contractor personnel. The position is colloquially known throughout the Navy as '''"the Air Boss"''', mimicking the nickname given to the officer who commands the air department on an aircraft carrier.

==Mission== "Man, train, and equip deployable, combat-ready naval Aviation forces that win in combat."<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/Pages/missionstatement.aspx| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131206055007/http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/Pages/missionstatement.aspx| archive-date = 2013-12-06| title = Pages - missionstatement}}</ref>

== Naval Aviation Enterprise == Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF), also known as the "Air Boss," is the senior Navy leader of the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) and is responsible for all Naval Aviation programs, personnel and assets. CNAF is a dual-hatted position where the incumbent concurrently functions as '''[[Commander Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet]]''' (COMNAVAIRPAC). CNAF is supported by '''[[Commander, Naval Air Force, Atlantic Fleet|Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet]]''' (COMNAVAIRLANT); '''[[Naval Air Force Reserve|Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve]]''' (COMNAVAIRES); the '''[[Naval Air Training Command|Chief of Naval Air Training]]''' (CNATRA); and the '''[[Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center|Commander, Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center]]''' (NAWDC).

The NAE encompasses all of Naval Aviation and has three, three-star leaders. In addition to the Commander Naval Air Forces, these leaders are the U.S. Marine Corps Deputy Commandant for Aviation and the commander of [[Naval Air Systems Command]] (COMNAVAIRSYSCOM). Within the NAE there are about 3,800 sea-based and shore-based aircraft that perform strike/fighter, electronic attack, airborne early warning, maritime patrol and reconnaissance, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine/sub-surface warfare, strategic communications relay, search and rescue (SAR), helicopter mine countermeasures, training, and logistical support missions. These assets include 11 aircraft carriers and approximately 100,000 active and reserve military personnel, as well as Department of the Navy civilians and contractors.

==History== In October 1919, Air Detachment, Pacific Fleet came into existence, making naval aviation formally part of the [[U.S. Pacific Fleet]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnaf.navy.mil/historycnaf.asp |title= Comnavairfor|website=www.cnaf.navy.mil |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206214113/http://www.cnaf.navy.mil/historycnaf.asp |archive-date=6 February 2010}}</ref> The original organization was divided into Landplane, Shipplane and Seaplane divisions. Within a brief period, the three divisions evolved into Fighting, Spotting and Seaplane Patrol Squadrons, respectively. The purpose of air detachments was: "attack on enemy aircraft, spotting gunfire for surface craft torpedo attack by torpedo planes, demolition, toxic gas and incendiary bomb attack, smoke and gas screen laying, mine and countermining; flare dropping; scouting reconnaissance, patrol and convoy duty; photography, mapping, detection of enemy coastal defenses and mail passenger service."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnaf.navy.mil/historycnaf.asp |title= Comnavairfor|website=www.cnaf.navy.mil |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206214113/http://www.cnaf.navy.mil/historycnaf.asp |archive-date=6 February 2010}}</ref>

In June 1922 as part of a reorganization combining the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets into the U.S. Fleet, the detachment was renamed Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet. In 1933, another reorganization established two principal commands: Commander Aircraft Battle Force and Commander Tender-based Aircraft.

Commander, Air Pacific was established during [[World War II]] as the requirements of supporting air combat units widely deployed in the Pacific Ocean area increased.

Finding much inefficiency in the various administrative commands within naval aviation, [[Admiral]] [[Chester W. Nimitz]], Commander in Chief, [[United States Pacific Fleet]], directed a consolidation of various administrative functions for a more efficient command structure. This new command became Air Pacific Fleet, "to function as a Type Commander for fleet aircraft, to prepare general policy and doctrine for the operation of aviation units, to recommend the types, characteristics and numbers of aircraft required, and to carry out the strategic distribution of all air units in the Pacific area."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnaf.navy.mil/historycnaf.asp |title= Comnavairfor|website=www.cnaf.navy.mil |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206214113/http://www.cnaf.navy.mil/historycnaf.asp |archive-date=6 February 2010}}</ref>

On July 29, 1942, Admiral [[Ernest King]] approved the recommendation and thus established Commander U.S. Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRPAC), effective September 1, 1942. Vice Admiral [[John Henry Towers]] became its commander soon afterwards.

In May 1949, the headquarters was moved from [[Pearl Harbor]], Hawaii to [[Naval Air Station, North Island]], California.

In October 2001, the [[Chief of Naval Operations]] redesignated [[Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet]] (AIRPAC's East Coast counterpart) from a three star command into a two star command and placed it under AIRPAC's command in a "Lead-Follow" arrangement. Under this arrangement COMNAVAIRPAC became TYCOM for Air, and assumed the additional title of Commander, Naval Air Forces (COMNAVAIRFOR). The Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) and the Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve (COMNAVAIRES) were also subsequently placed under the aegis of COMNAVAIRFOR.

==Past commanders== [[File:Logo_of_the_Naval_Air_Force,_U.S._Pacific_Fleet.png|thumb|right|Logo for Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet.]] # Vice Admiral [[John B. Nathman]] (August 2000 – August 2, 2002<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150610230027/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=3089 "Malone Relieves Nathman as COMNAVAIRPAC & Commander, Naval Air Forces"] Journalist 2nd Class Christina O'Leary (Commander, Naval Air Force, Pacific Public Affairs). Retrieved February 22, 2013.</ref>) # Vice Admiral [[Michael D. Malone]] (August 2, 2002 – August 17, 2004<ref>[http://www.navy.mil/search/print.asp?story_id=14787&VIRIN=16723&imagetype=1&page=1 "Zortman Assumes Leadership of Naval Air Forces"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070916031218/https://www.navy.mil/search/print.asp?story_id=14787&VIRIN=16723&imagetype=1&page=1 |date=2007-09-16 }} Eric Beheim (Naval Media Center, Fleet Support Detachment). Retrieved February 22, 2013.</ref>) # Vice Admiral [[James M. Zortman|James M. "Jim" Zortman]] (August 17, 2004 – June 22, 2007<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121022053946/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=30213 "Kilcline Takes Helm as Commander, Naval Air Forces"] Naval Air Forces Public Affairs. Retrieved February 22, 2013.</ref>) # Vice Admiral [[Tom Kilcline Jr.|Thomas J. "Tom" Kilcline Jr.]] (June 22, 2007 – July 1, 2010<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121012215758/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=54451 "Commander, Naval Air Forces Holds Change of Command Ceremony"] Commander, Naval Air Forces Public Affairs. Retrieved February 22, 2013.</ref>) # Vice Admiral [[Allen G. Myers|Allen G. "Al" Myers IV]] (July 1, 2010 – October 4, 2012<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20161121054052/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=69982 "Commander, Naval Air Forces Holds Change of Command Ceremony"] Commander, Naval Air Forces Public Affairs. Retrieved February 22, 2013.</ref>) # Vice Admiral [[David Buss (United States Navy)|David H. Buss]] (October 4, 2012 – January 22, 2015<ref>[https://www.navytimes.com/story/military/2015/01/23/shoemaker-air-boss-navy-aviation-stennis/22213505/ "Navy aviation gets a new 'air boss'"] Navy Times. Retrieved January 24, 2015.</ref>) # Vice Admiral [[Troy M. Shoemaker|Troy M. "Mike" Shoemaker]] (January 22, 2015 – January 11, 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afcea.org/content/dewolfe-appointed-commander-naval-air-forces|title=DeWolfe Appointed Commander Naval Air Forces|publisher=afcea.org|date=26 October 2017|accessdate=11 January 2018}}</ref>) # Vice Admiral [[DeWolfe Miller III (United States Navy)|DeWolfe Miller III]] (January 11, 2018 – October 2, 2020<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/2372253/ninth-air-boss-assumes-command-of-naval-air-forces/ |title=Ninth 'Air Boss' Assumes Command of Naval Air Forces |date=5 October 2020 |publisher=U.S. Indo-Pacific Command |accessdate=6 October 2020}}</ref>) # Vice Admiral [[Kenneth R. Whitesell]] (October 2, 2020 – September 7, 2023<ref name="usniacting2">{{cite web|last=LaGrone|first=Sam|url=https://news.usni.org/2023/08/25/acting-commanders-set-to-take-charge-of-naval-academy-naval-air-forces-and-navsea|title=Acting Commanders Set to Take Charge of Naval Academy, Naval Air Forces and NAVSEA|date=2023-08-25|access-date=2023-09-02|website=[[USNI News]]}}</ref>) # Vice Admiral [[Daniel Cheever]] (January 31, 2024 – February 2, 2026) # Vice Admiral [[Douglas C. Verissimo]] (February 2, 2026 – present)

==Subordinate commands== ===Commander, Fleet Air, Western Pacific (COMFAIRWESTPAC)===

===Commander, Patrol And Reconnaissance Group, Pacific=== ====[[Patrol Wing|Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing TEN]]==== *[[VP-1]] Screaming Eagles *[[Patrol Squadron 4 (United States Navy)|VP-4]] Skinny Dragons *[[VP-9]] Golden Eagles *[[VP-40 (1951-present)|VP-40]] Fighting Marlins *[[VP-46]] Grey Knights *[[VP-47]] Golden Swordsmen

==={{USS|Carl Vinson|CVN-70}}=== ==={{USS|Theodore Roosevelt|CVN-71}}=== ==={{USS|John C. Stennis|CVN-74}}=== ==={{USS|Ronald Reagan|CVN-76}}=== ==={{USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72}}=== ==={{USS|Nimitz|CVN-68}}=== ==={{USS|George Washington|CVN-73}}=== ===[[Carrier Air Wing Two]]=== ===[[Carrier Air Wing Five]]=== ===[[Carrier Air Wing Nine]]=== ===[[Carrier Air Wing Eleven]]=== ===[[Carrier Air Wing Fourteen]]=== ===[[Carrier Air Wing Seventeen]]===

===[[List of United States Navy aircraft wings#Currently Active Type and Functional Wings|Commander, Airborne Command, Control, Logistics Wing]] (COMACCLOGWING)===

{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Unit !! Nickname !! Aircraft !! Home base !! Notes |- | [[VAW-113]] || Black Eagles || rowspan="4" | [[Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye|E-2 Hawkeye]] || rowspan="4" | [[Naval Base Ventura County]] || |- | [[VAW-115]] || Liberty Bells || |- | [[VAW-116]] || Sun Kings || |- | [[VAW-117]] || Wallbangers || |- | [[VAW-120]] || Greyhawks || E-2 Hawkeye<HR>[[Grumman C-2 Greyhound|C-2 Greyhound]] || rowspan="4" | [[Naval Station Norfolk Chambers Field]] || [[Fleet Replacement Squadron|FRS]] |- | [[VAW-121]] || Bluetails || rowspan="5" | E-2 Hawkeye || |- | [[VAW-123]] || Screwtops || |- | [[VAW-124]] || Bear Aces || |- | [[VAW-125]] || Tigertails ||[[Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni]] || |- | [[VAW-126]] || Seahawks || Naval Station Norfolk Chambers Field || |- | [[VRC-30]] || Providers || rowspan="2" | [[Grumman C-2 Greyhound|C-2 Greyhound]] || [[Naval Air Station North Island]] || |- | [[VRC-40]] || Rawhides || Naval Station Norfolk Chambers Field || |- | Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School (CAEWWS) || || || || |}

=== [[List of United States Navy aircraft wings#Currently Active Type and Functional Wings|Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Pacific]] (COMSTRKFIGHTWINGPAC)===

{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Unit !! Nickname !! Aircraft !! Home base !! Notes |- | [[VFA-2]] || Bounty Hunters || || || |- | [[VFA-14 (U.S. Navy)|VFA-14]] || Top Hatters || || || |- | [[VFA-22]] || Fighting Redcocks || || || |- | [[VFA-25]] || Fist of the Fleet || || || |- | [[VFA-27]] || Royal Maces || || ([[Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni|MCAS Iwakuni]], Japan) || |- | [[VFA-41]] || Black Aces || || || |- | [[VFA-86]] || Sidewinders || || || |- | [[VFA-94]] || Mighty Shrikes || || || |- | [[VFA-102]] || Diamondbacks || || ([[Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni|MCAS Iwakuni]], Japan) || |- | [[VFA-113]] || Stingers || || || |- | [[VFA-115]] || Eagles || || || |- | [[VFA-122]] || Flying Eagles || || || ([[Fleet Replacement Squadron|FRS]]) |- | [[VFA-136]] || Knighthawks || || || |- | [[VFA-137]] || Kestrels || || || |- | [[VFA-146]] || Blue Diamonds || || || |- | [[VFA-151]] || Fighting Vigilantes || || || |- | [[VFA-154]] || Black Knights || || || |- | [[VFA-192]] || Golden Dragons || || || |- | [[VFA-195 (U.S. Navy)|VFA-195]] || Dambusters || || ([[Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni|MCAS Iwakuni]], Japan) || |- | [[Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific]] (SFWSPAC) || || || || |}

===[[List of United States Navy aircraft wings#Currently Active Type and Functional Wings| Commander, Joint Strike Fighter Wing]] (COMJSFWING)=== *[[VFA-97]] Warhawks *[[VFA-125]] Rough Raiders ([[Fleet Replacement Squadron|FRS]]) *[[VFA-147]] Argonauts

===[[List of United States Navy aircraft wings#Currently Active Type and Functional Wings| Commander, Electronic Attack Wing, Pacific]] (COMVAQWINGPAC)=== *[[VAQ-129]] Vikings ([[Fleet Replacement Squadron|FRS]]) *[[VAQ-130]] Zappers *[[VAQ-131]] Lancers *[[VAQ-132]] Scorpions (Expeditionary) *[[VAQ-133]] Wizards *[[VAQ-134]] Garudas (Expeditionary) *[[VAQ-135]] Black Ravens (Expeditionary) *[[VAQ-136]] Gauntlets *[[VAQ-137]] Rooks *[[VAQ-138]] Yellowjackets (Expeditionary) *[[VAQ-139]] Cougars *[[VAQ-140]] Patriots *[[VAQ-141]] Shadowhawks ([[Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni|MCAS Iwakuni]], Japan) *[[VAQ-142]] Gray Wolves *[[VAQ-144]] Main Battery *Electronic Attack Weapons School (EAWS)

===[[List of United States Navy aircraft wings#Currently Active Type and Functional Wings| Commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific]] (COMHSMWINGPAC)=== *[[HSM-35]] Magicians (Expeditionary) *[[HSM-37]] Easyriders (Expeditionary) *[[HSM-41]] Seahawks ([[Fleet Replacement Squadron|FRS]]) *[[HSM-49]] Scorpions (Expeditionary) *[[HSM-51]] Warlords (Expeditionary) ([[NAF Atsugi]], Japan) *[[HSM-71]] Raptors *[[HSM-73]] Battle Cats *[[HSM-75]] Wolfpack *[[HSM-77]] Saberhawks ([[NAF Atsugi]], Japan) *HSM-78 Blue Hawks *[[Helicopter Maritime Strike Weapons School Pacific]] (HSMWSP)

===[[List of United States Navy aircraft wings#Currently Active Type and Functional Wings| Commander, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific]] (COMHSCWINGPAC)=== *[[HSC-3]] Merlins ([[Fleet Replacement Squadron|FRS]]) *[[HSC-4]] Black Knights *HSC-6 Indians *[[HSC-8]] Eightballers *[[HSC-12]] Golden Falcon ([[NAF Atsugi]], Japan) *[[HSC-14]] Chargers *[[HSC-21]] Blackjacks (Expeditionary) *[[HSC-23]] Wildcards (Expeditionary) *[[HSC-25]] Island Knights (Expeditionary) ([[Andersen Air Force Base|Andersen AFB]], Guam) *Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Pacific (HSCWSP)

===[[List of United States Navy aircraft wings#Currently Active Type and Functional Wings| Commander, Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Wing]] (VRMWING)=== *[[VRM-30]] Titans *VRM-40 Mighty Bisons *VRM-50 Sunhawks ([[Fleet Replacement Squadron|FRS]])

===[[Strategic Communications Wing One|Commander, Strategic Communications Wing ONE]] (COMSTRATCOMWING ONE) ([[Tinker Air Force Base]], Oklahoma)=== *[[VQ-3]] Ironman *[[VQ-4]] Shadows *[[VQ-7]] ([[Fleet Replacement Squadron|FRS]])

===[[Naval Air Training Command|Commander, Naval Air Training Command]] (CNATRA)=== ====[[Blue Angels|Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron (NFDS) "Blue Angels"]]==== ====Commander, [[Training Air Wing One]] (TRAWING ONE)==== *VT-7 Eagles *[[VT-9]] Tigers ====Commander, [[Training Air Wing Two]] (TRAWING TWO)==== *VT-21 Red Hawks *VT-22 Golden Eagles

====Commander, [[Training Air Wing Four]] (TRAWING FOUR)==== *[[VT-27]] Boomers *[[VT-28]] Rangers *VT-31 Wise Owls *VT-35 Stingrays ====Commander, [[Training Air Wing Five]] (TRAWING FIVE)==== *VT-2 Doerbirds *VT-3 Red Knights *VT-6 Shooters *[[HT-8]] Eightballers *[[HT-18]] Vigilant Eagles *[[HT-28]] Hellions ====Commander, [[Training Air Wing Six]] (TRAWING SIX)==== *[[VT-4 (United States)| VT-4]] Warbucks *[[VT-10]] Wildcats *[[VT-86]] Sabrehawks

==See also== *[[Naval aviation]] *[[Modern US Navy carrier air operations]] *[[List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962)]] *[[List of US Naval aircraft]] *[[United States Naval Aviator]] *[[Naval flight officer]] *[[List of United States Navy aircraft wings]] *[[Carrier air wing]] *[[List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons]] *[[Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{official website|http://www.cnaf.navy.mil}}

[[Category:Type commands of the United States Navy]] [[Category:Flag appointments of the United States Navy|*Commander Naval Air]] [[Category:United States naval aviation]]