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 brief reference, the organization of the Joint Staff follows. See the full article for more details, and the Continental Staff System for discussion.
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]
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.
^The Department contains a third headquarters staff, the Space Staff; however, unlike the Air Staff and the Office of the Secretary, the existence of the Space Staff is not a statutory provision.
References
^[1] Air Force Staff Restructures to Improve Joint Ops, Communication
^[2] Oct2008: ...new directorate on the Air Staff that will coordinate the Air Force's nuclear activities
