JAKARTA - President Joe Biden has chosen the Head of the United States Air Force General Charles Quinton Brown Jr., as a candidate for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or the military commander of Uncle Sam's country, a former fighter pilot full of duty experience in the Pacific, as tensions with China escalate.
General Brown, whose appointment has been eagerly awaited, must be confirmed by the US Senate. Later, he will become the second black officer to become Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, after Colin Powell two decades ago.
The move follows Lloyd Austin's appointment to become US Secretary of Defense for the first black, top civilian position at the Pentagon, by President Biden.
"I can't think of people who are more suitable or more eligible to lead our troops," President Biden said announcing Thursday's nomination for General Brown.
"General Brown is a fighter, has a proud lineage of fighters. His father, a US Army colonel, CQ Brown, served in Vietnam. His grandfather, US Army Master Sigt. Robert E. Brown Jr. led a separate unit in World War I," said President Biden, adding that Brown was a leader. Fearless and patriot who never gave up.
A senior administration official President Biden said the Democratic Party politician had accepted Secretary Austin's recommendation to vote for Brown at that position, believing he "understood strategic challenges facing the United States around the world."
"He helped build and lead the air campaign against ISIS. He understands the challenges posed by the PRC (Chinese People's Republic). And he has a strong understanding of the perspective and capabilities of our NATO allies," the official said.
If Brown is confirmed, for the first time black Americans will hold the top two positions at the Pentagon, an important milestone for a diverse institution at its lower ranks, but mostly white and male at the top level.
Previously, Brown served as the 22nd Chief of the US Air Force since August 4, 2020. He has entered military service since 1985. Brown became the first black Air Force Chief in US military history. He was confirmed as head of the force with a 98-0 vote.
Brown is an introvert who describes himself with a public personality in stark contrast to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who will be replaced by General Mark Milley, an original Boston resident who has served since President Donald Trump's administration.
After the murder of George Floyd, a black man, by Minneapolis police in 2020, Brown shared his experiences in an emotional video uploaded online.
He said how, during his career in the Air Force, he "often became the only African-American on my squadron or, as a senior officer, the only African-American person in that room" and wore the same flight suit as his squadron with wings pinned on his chest, but was asked if he was a pilot?
Known by his colleagues as "CQ", Brown's experience includes overseeing coalition air operations against ISIS from a major Air Force base in the Middle East.
In addition, his experience as US Air Force commander in the Pacific from 2018 to 2020 gave him hints about tensions with China's increasingly strong military, a problem that is likely to become large during his four-year term as chairman.
Heather Wilson, who was then Minister of the Air Force, praised Brown's leadership style and experience in the Pacific.
"He is wise, respected by his colleagues and subordinates, and will provide solid leadership and good advice to the country," he told Reuters.
In a statement praising Brown's candidacy on Thursday, Defense Secretary Austin called the Air Force General an "exciting and effective leader, as well as a person with deep integrity and affection."
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"Throughout his career, he insisted on doing the right thing for his teammates and their families," Austin said.
"As Air Force Chief of Staff - and the first black leader in US military service - he has worked hard to take advantage of the strengths and talents of all American people and provide appropriate support for their members and loved ones," he concluded.
Although widely respected, it is not clear how soon General Brown will be confirmed by the US Senate.
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