US Joint Chiefs Chair Brown Named Air Force Chief... 'Pentagon Big 2 Both Black'

U.S. President Joe Biden officially nominated General Charles Brown, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the 25th (local time). If formally appointed after Senate confirmation, he will become the second African American to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff since former Chairman Colin Powell. This will also be the first time that both the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are African Americans.

In a White House speech that day, President Biden announced Brown's nomination, saying, "In today’s complex security environment, I am grateful that General Brown will lead our military." He emphasized, "General Brown has been a commander and warrior in the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East," and "he possesses exceptional capabilities essential to protecting the security of the American people."

President Biden added, "We must manage competition with China while also responding to the reality of Russia’s invasion in Europe," and "at the same time, we must maintain a leading position in weapons fields utilizing advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI)."

U.S. President Joe Biden (left) and Charles Brown, the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

General Brown’s term will begin on October 1 and last for four years. Brown, who is 61 years old this year, served as the Commander of Pacific Air Forces before becoming Chief of Staff of the Air Force in 2020. He has ties to Korea, having served as an F-16 pilot in the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Gunsan Air Base from 1987 to 1988, and later returning to Gunsan as the Commander of the 8th Fighter Wing from 2007 to 2008.

He was the first African American appointed as Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and if confirmed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he will be the second African American to hold the position since former Chairman Colin Powell. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is officially appointed following Senate confirmation after the President’s nomination.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also expressed strong support in a separate statement, saying, "I wholeheartedly support President Biden’s decision," and "During his 39 years of military service, General Brown has been an outstanding pilot, military strategist, and commander." Secretary Austin added, "As the first African American Chief of Staff of the Air Force, he served with dedication," and "I appreciate General Brown’s commitment to take on this new responsibility and look forward to his counsel on America’s security."