The White House has nominated Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown to be the next top general to lead the U.S. Air Force. The nomination, announced by the Defense Department Monday afternoon, would make him the first African American officer to serve as the top uniformed officer for any of the military branches.

H/T: Military.com

Gen. Brown has commanded a fighter squadron, the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, two fighter wings and U.S. Air Forces Central Command, according to his Air Force biography. Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command. Gen. Brown is a command pilot with more than 2,900 flying hours, including 130 combat hours.

“The [Air Force] will be well served by the formidable talents of CQ Brown," Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett said in a tweet following the announcement. "He has unmatched strategic vision and operational expertise. His leadership will be instrumental as the service continues to focus on the capabilities and talent we need to implement the [National Defense Strategy].”

The USAF will be well served by the formidable talents of CQ Brown. 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. https://t.co/2P8JDx1idS — Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett (@SecAFOfficial) March 2, 2020

From the Department of Defense press release:

Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper announced today that the president has made the following nomination: Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. has been nominated for appointment to the rank of general, with assignment as chief of staff, U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia. Brown is currently serving as commander, Pacific Air Forces; air component commander for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command; and executive director, Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. was nominated Monday to become the next Air Force chief of staff, a selection that would make him the first African American to serve as the top uniformed leader of a U.S. military service. https://t.co/73BX0mKZRP — Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) March 3, 2020