Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb
The Chief of Air Force leads over 2500 highly specialised professionals who are well-equipped to support New Zealand and respond quickly to situations both at home and overseas. The Chief of Air Force commands the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) through the Deputy Chief of Air Force and the Air Component Commander.
Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb joined the RNZAF in 1990 as a pilot. During his flying career he had an operational tour on the Andover, three operational tours on the C130 Hercules as well as an exchange with the Royal Australian Air Force flying a number of different model Hercules aircraft. His flying career included a tour as a flying instructor, operational tours to Somalia, Antarctica, East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq. He has commanded operations in the Middle East and was Detachment Commander for the RNZAF response to the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. His flying career concluded with tours as Commanding Officer of RNZAF Flying Training Wing and Number 40 SQN. He has accumulated over 6000 flying hours.
Throughout his career Air Vice-Marshal Webb has held a range of operational and strategic positions. These include Officer Commanding 488 Wing and Senior Commander of RNZAF Base Ohakea, Deputy Chief of Air Force, Air Component Commander, Assistant Chief of Defence for Capability, and Assistant Chief of Defence for Strategic Commitments and Engagements.
In 2020, Air Vice-Marshal Webb completed a secondment with the All of Government response to COVID-19, culminating as Head of Managed Isolation and Quarantine responsible for the operational management of 32 isolation and quarantine facilities across New Zealand. He was awarded an MNZM in the 2022 New Year’s Honours in recognition for this role.
Air Vice-Marshal Webb completed Junior Staff College in 2001, NZDF Command and Staff College in 2006 and attended the Defence and Strategic Studies Course in Canberra in 2015. He has a Master of Strategic Studies from Deakin University.
Air Vice-Marshal Webb was appointed Chief of Air Force in August 2024.