The Air Staff was reorganized in 2006 to be numbered in accordance with the Joint Staff system.[1] For the most part, the Joint Staff numbering system applies to the air staff. The Air Force separated Analysis and Assessments from A8 to create a separate directorate, A9, then in 2008, followed up with the creation of a separate directorate, A10, for the Air Force's nuclear mission.[2]
Joint Staff organization
Air Staff Organizational Chart
For reference, the organization of the Joint Staff follows. See full article.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff organization includes the following departments where all the Joint Staff's planning, policies, intelligence, manpower, communications and logistics functions are translated into action.[3]
J6 – Command, Control, Communications and Computer Systems (C4)
J7 – Joint Force Development
J8 – Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment
Air Staff
A1 – Manpower and Personnel
A2 – Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and Cyber Effects Operations
A3 – Operations
A4 – Logistics
A5 – Plans and Requirements
A6 – Communications
A7 – Installations and Mission Support
A8 – Strategic Plans and Programs
A9 – Studies, Analyses, and Assessments
A10 – Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration Office
Multiple Air Force military commands follow this structure, but for the HQ Air Force at the Pentagon, they combine several into one office (A5/8 and A4/7). In addition, unlike the other branches of the U.S. armed forces that place "force development and training" in J7 like elements (i.e., G7, N7, etc.), the Air Force has no A7 "training" organization at the HAF level, retaining that function within its A3 organization.
