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May 30, 2023

Biden picks Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. to serve as next chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff

In this image provided by U.S. Air Force, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ

In this image provided by U.S. Air Force, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., his wife Sharene Brown, and sons, Sean and Ross, pose for a photo during the CSAF Transfer of Responsibility ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Aug. 6, 2020.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will announce Thursday that he is tapping a history-making Air Force fighter pilot with years of experience in shaping U.S. defenses to meet China's rise to serve as the nation's next top military officer, according to a senior U.S. official.

The nomination of Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. has been long expected. If confirmed by the Senate, he would replace the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, whose term ends in October.

Brown's confirmation would mean that, for the first time, both the Pentagon's top military and civilian positions would be held by African Americans. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the first Black Pentagon chief, has been in the job since the beginning of the administration. The only other Black person to serve as Joint Chiefs chairman was Army Gen. Colin Powell.

Brown is a career F-16 fighter pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours and command experience at all levels. He has broken barriers throughout his career. He served as the military's first Black Pacific Air Forces commander, where he led the nation's air strategy to counter China in the Indo-Pacific as Beijing rapidly militarized islands in the South China Sea and tested its bomber reach with flights near Guam.

Three years ago he became the first Black Air Force chief of staff, the service's top military officer, which also made him the first African American to lead any of the military branches.

For the last year Brown has been widely viewed as the frontrunner to replace Milley, as the Pentagon shifts from preparing for the major land wars of the past to deterring a potential future conflict with Beijing.

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Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed reporting.

In this image provided by the U.S. Air Force, Lt. Col. C.Q. Brown, Jr. deployed as an F-16 squadron commander in support of Operation Southern Watch in 2001, walks on the flight line. Brown also deployed or directly supported Operation Northern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Odyssey Dawn and Operation Unified Protector, and Operation Inherent Resolve. President Joe Biden is expected to announce Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr., a history-making fighter pilot with recent experience countering China in the Pacific, to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (U.S. Air Force via AP)

In this image provided by the U.S. Air Force, Lt. Col. C.Q. Brown, Jr. pilots an F-16 Fighting Falcon in support of Operation Southern Watch, Iraq, in the early 2000s. Brown is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours, including 130 combat hours. President Joe Biden is expected to announce Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr., a history-making fighter pilot with recent experience countering China in the Pacific, to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. If confirmed by the Senate, Brown would replace the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, whose term ends in October. (U.S. Air Force via AP)

In this image provided by the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr.'s wife, Sharene Brown, left, and mother, Kay Brown, right, pin on Brown's first star during his promotion to brigadier general on Sept. 18, 2009, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. President Joe Biden is expected to announce Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr., a history-making fighter pilot with recent experience countering China in the Pacific, to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. If confirmed by the Senate, Brown would replace the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, whose term ends in October. (Staff Sgt. Patrick Dixon/U.S. Air Force)

FILE - President Donald Trump watches as Vice President Mike Pence swears in Gen. C.Q. Brown, Jr. as Chief of Staff of the Air Force as his wife Sharene Guilford Brown holds the Bible in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Washington. President Joe Biden is expected to announce Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr., a history-making fighter pilot with recent experience countering China in the Pacific, to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. If confirmed by the Senate, Brown would replace the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, whose term ends in October.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

FILE - Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown, Jr., departs after speaking about U.S. defense strategy at the Brookings Institution in Washington, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. President Joe Biden is expected to nominate a history-making Air Force fighter pilot general with years of experience in shaping U.S. defenses to meet China's rise to serve as the nation's next top military officer, according to two people familiar with the decision. If confirmed by the Senate, Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr. would replace the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, whose term ends in October. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

FILE - Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown, Jr. speaks about U.S. defense strategy at the Brookings Institution in Washington, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. President Joe Biden is expected to nominate a history-making Air Force fighter pilot general with years of experience in shaping U.S. defenses to meet China's rise to serve as the nation's next top military officer, according to two people familiar with the decision. If confirmed by the Senate, Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr. would replace the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, whose term ends in October. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

FILE - Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, center, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, left, and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr. applaud as members of the Air Force Academy arrive in the East Room of the White House, Friday, April 28, 2023, in Washington. President Joe Biden is expected to announce Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr., a history-making fighter pilot with recent experience countering China in the Pacific, to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. If confirmed by the Senate, Brown would replace the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, whose term ends in October. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

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