Commander, Naval Air Forces

Commander, Naval Air Forces (a.k.a. COMNAVAIRFOR, CNAF; and dual-hatted as Commander, Naval Air Force, Pacific or COMNAVAIRPAC) is the aviation 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 material 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 Three Star headquarters based at NAS North Island in Coronado, California. The current commander is VADM Troy M. Shoemaker. The staff is made up of approximately 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 that commands the air department on an Aircraft Carrier.

"Man, train, equip and maintain a Naval air force that is immediately employable, forward deployed and engaged. We support the Fleet and Unified Commanders by delivering the right force with the right readiness at the right time at reduced cost......today and in the future."

Commander, Naval Air Forces is the senior command in the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) and is responsible for all Naval Aviation programs, personnel and assets. CNAF is also a dual-hatted position that concurrently functions as Commander, Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRPAC). CNAF is supported by Commander, Naval Air Force, Atlantic Fleet (COMNAVAIRLANT); Commander, Naval Air Force, Reserve (COMNAVAIRES); the Chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare Requirements), also known as OPNAV N88; Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (COMNAVAIRSYSCOM); Commander, Naval Strike Air Warfare Center (NSAWC), and the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA). Within the NAE there are approximately 3800 aircraft that perform strike/fighter missions, anti-surface warfare, sub-surface warfare, electronic warfare, reconnaissance, communications relay, Search and Rescue (SAR), training and logistical support missions. These assets include 12 aircraft carriers, approximately 25 Naval Air Stations and bases, and approximately 100,000 active and reserve military personnel, Department of the Navy civilians and contractors.

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