Last Thursday, the United States President Joseph Biden formally announced General Charles Q. “CQ” Brown, current Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, as his nominee to replace General Mark Milley as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s highest ranking officer and lead military advisor to the President.
General Brown is the right leader at the right time for the right reasons. As the US and like-minded nations are being challenged around the globe by revisionist great-power competitors Russia and China, it is absolutely imperative that America’s Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Guardians are represented in the White House and the halls of Congress by a leader of integrity, truth, intelligence, and cutting edge technology that has earned his leadership and respect across our joint forces. General CQ Brown is highly respected across the defense enterprise, the whole-of-government, and in the private sector. Additionally, the strong bonds he has forged with allies and partners across the globe are unwavering. CQ is highly admired for his superb intellect, impeccable character, and warfighter acumen that extends from the tactical to the strategic.
From our perspective, what is equally important given the prevalence and proliferation of air and missile threats facing our nation and like-minded partners, CQ possesses real-world experience serving as the Area Air Defense Commander for Combatant Commanders in multiple areas of responsibility. He knows how to execute this critical mission for our Joint force, allies, and partners, and this first-hand knowledge forged in actual combat operations will be invaluable as we work to secure the skies above our nation and team with our allies and partners to do the same in their sovereign territory. Our nation’s future roles and missions of Air and Missile Defense will be led by the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
General Brown earned his wings and has earned the honor of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff nomination by the President of the United States. General Brown was commissioned in 1984, began his career flying the F-16, and later became an instructor at the prestigious US Air Force Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada in 1992. He was subsequently chosen to lead the entire school as the Commandant in 2005. Later, he served as deputy commander of US Air Forces Central Command (2013), and director of operations, strategic deterrence, and nuclear integration of US Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (2014). In 2015 he became commander of US Air Forces Central Command, and in 2016 deputy commander of US Central Command. General Brown became commander of Pacific Air Forces in 2018 before assuming his current position in 2020.
General Brown’s vast experience, knowledge, courage, and proactive leadership is required now more than ever. The future is bright, solid and promising.
“an inspiring and effective leader and a man of deep integrity and compassion.” – Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, May 25, 2023