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Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. is poised to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s top military position.
He’s known for making history as the first Black Air Force chief of staff after serving as the first Black Pacific Air Forces commander. The barrier-breaking promotions came after a formidable career as a F-16 fighter pilot.
Brown’s appointment by President Biden has been expected for some time. If confirmed by the Senate, he’ll replace current chairman Army Gen. Mark Milley when his term ends this October.
Biden will reportedly unveil Brown as his official selection at a Rose Garden event on Thursday afternoon.
The selection would mark the first time in U.S. history that African Americans hold both the Pentagon’s top military and civilian positions.
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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin became the first Black Pentagon chief when he assumed the role at the beginning of the Biden administration.
Former Joint Chiefs Chariman Colin Powell was the only other Black person to hold the title that Brown is expected to assume.
Biden considers Brown the right person for the role thanks to his work modernizing U.S. aircrafts, building the country’s nuclear arsenal and growing the nation’s defenses to meet China’s ascendency, a senior White House official said.
While commanding the Pacific Air Forces, Brown led U.S. air strategy to counter China in the Indo-Pacific.
His selection is believed to mark a shift in Pentagon focus on a potential future conflict with China.
Brown is viewed as an expert in China’s abilities in cyberwar, space, nuclear weapons and hypersonics. As the Air Force’s top military leader, he pushed to upgrade U.S. nuclear capabilities and supported the development of the U.S. Space Force, which received many of its capabilities from the Air Force.
With News Wire Services
Evan Rosen
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