The Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, formerly the Deputy Commander Capability, is responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of all aspects of Royal Air Force capability, including people, equipment, infrastructure, and training.

The appointee is a Member of the United Kingdom's Air Force Board as the Air Member for Personnel and Capability due to their position.

[2] The post was created on 3 January 1918 as part of the preliminary work before the creation of the RAF and the incumbent sat on the Air Council.

From the mid-1920s to 1938, the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff was double-hatted as the RAF's Director of Operations and Intelligence.

This appointment is currently held concurrently with the Air Member for Personnel.