Commander, Naval Air Forces

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Commander, Naval Air Forces and Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific
CNAF (COMNAVAIRFOR) and CNAP (COMNAVAIRFORPAC)
Insignia of the Commander, Naval Air Forces and Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific
Incumbent Vice Admiral Daniel L. Cheever since 31 January 2024
Department of the Navy
Type	Type Commander
Reports to	Chief of Naval Operations Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet
Seat	Naval Air Station North Island
Formation	CNAF – October 2001 CNAP – July 29, 1942
First holder	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 (a.k.a. COMNAVAIRFOR, and CNAF; and dual-hatted as Commander, Naval Air Force, Pacific, and 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 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 three-star headquarters, based at NAS North Island in Coronado, California. The current commander is VADM Daniel Cheever. 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 who commands the air department on an aircraft carrier.