Who served as the first Chief of Staff of the Air Force?

The first Chief of Staff of the Air Force was General Carl A. Spaatz. This position was established on September 26, 1947, when the United States Air Force became a separate branch of the military. General Spaatz had a distinguished career, including serving in both World War I and World War II, and he played a key role in the development of the Air Force as it transitioned to an independent service. His leadership and vision were instrumental in shaping the Air Force during its formative years, and he was responsible for establishing policies and procedures that would guide the organization.

The other individuals mentioned also have significant military backgrounds, but they did not hold the position of the first Chief of Staff of the Air Force. General Henry H. Arnold, for example, was a prominent Air Force leader before it became an independent branch and was known as the only five-star general in the U.S. Air Force, but he was not the first Chief of Staff. General William Lee Mitchell was a controversial figure known for his advocacy of air power, and General Nathan F. Twining served as the Chief of Staff later on, but neither held the position at the Air Force's inception.