The Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (C-LSK) () is the highest-ranking officer of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. He reports directly to the Chief of the Defence (CDS).
The position of C-LSK was created on 5 September 2005 as part of a reorganization within the Dutch Ministry of Defence in which staff were reduced in size and an entire organizational layer was dropped. Before this reform the commanding officer of the Air Force was called .
The Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force is statutorily a lieutenant general and is the head of the Air Force Command (CLSK). He's responsible for preparation, operational command and completion of Air Force operations. In addition, at the request of the CDS, the C-LSK can take joint-command of air operations carried out together with other branches of the Dutch armed forces or foreign militaries, and render support to civilian authorities (foreign and domestic) to maintain the rule of law, combat disasters, provide humanitarian aid, transport patients and firefighting.
Commanders of the Royal Netherlands Air Force
1954–2005
1954–1956 Anton Baretta
1956–1961 Heije Schaper
1961–1965 Hein Zielstra
1965–1970 Bertie Wolff
1970–1973 Flip van der Wolf
1973–1976 Hans Knoop
1976–1981 Rien Geschiere
1981–1985 Cas Baas
1985–1989 Fred de Jong
1989–1992 Willy Cornelis Louwerse
1992–1995 Heinz Manderfeld
1995–2000 Ben Droste
2000–2004 Dick Berlijn
2004–2005 Dirk Starink
2005–present
Lieutenant-General Hans de Jong (5 September 2005 – 29 May 2008) Lieutenant-General Jac Jansen (29 May 2008 – 9 March 2012) Lieutenant-General Sander Schnitger (9 March 2012 – 10 June 2016) Lieutenant-General Dennis Luyt (10 June 2016 – 14 April 2023) Lieutenant-General André Steur (14 April 2023 – Present)
See also
Commander of the Royal Netherlands Army
Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy
References
External links
Commandant Luchtstrijdkrachten from the website of the Dutch Ministry of Defence.