Pub. L. 82-150, tit. II, sec. 203

Sec. 203. (a) The Vice Chief of Staff and the Deputy Chiefs of Staff shall be general officers of the Air Force detailed to those positions. In case of a vacancy in the office or the absence or disability of the Chief of Staff, the Vice Chief of Staff or the senior Deputy Chief of Staff, who is not absent or disabled, shall, unless otherwise directed by the President, perform the duties of Chief of Staff until his successor is appointed or such absence or disability shall cease. (b) In case of a vacancy in the position, or the absence or disability, of the Vice Chief of Staff, the senior Deputy Chief of Staff who is not absent or disabled shall, unless otherwise directed by the Secretary of the Air Force, perform the duties of the Vice Chief of Staff until his successor is designated or such absence or disability shall cease.