'One of the finest warriors': Trump nominates first black Air Force chief of staff

President Trump has nominated Gen. Charles Brown Jr. to be the next Air Force chief of staff.

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper made the announcement on Monday. If Brown is confirmed by the Senate, he will be the Air Force’s first African American service chief. Brown is currently commander of Pacific Air Forces, a role he has been in since 2018.

If confirmed, Brown, known as C.Q., would take over for Gen. David Goldfein, who has been Air Force chief of staff since July 2016 and is expected to retire this year.

“The USAF will be well served by the formidable talents of CQ Brown,” said Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett. “He has unmatched strategic vision & operational expertise. His leadership will be instrumental as the service continues to focus on the capabilities & talent we need to implement the #NDS,” which is short for the National Defense Strategy.