Miley Out

The U.S. Senate has confirmed United States Air Force Chief of Staff General Charles Q. Brown Jr. as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The 20 September confirmation heralds Brown’s installation as the first Airman in 19-years to serve as the U.S.’s top military officer.

General Brown’s approval was via a bipartisan 83-11 vote cast days before the term of current Chairman U.S. Army General Mark A. Milley. Whether or not Brown will be sworn in prior to the 01 October expiration of Miley’s term remains unknown.

Also slated for near-term roll-call votes are Generals Randy George and Eric Smith, who are under consideration for appointment to the roles of Chief of Staff of the Army and Commandant of the Marine Corps respectively.

For weeks, General and flag officer nominations have been mired in the Senate on account, primarily, of Senator Tommy Tuberville (Republican, Alaska), who opposes the Department of Defense’s provision of paid leave and travel funds to troops seeking to leave posts in conservative U.S. states for purpose of attaining abortions.

Brown’s ascension to the station of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs marks a milestone for the USAF, which hasn’t been represented in the position since the retirement of General Richard Myers in 2005. Brown will be the fifth Airman to serve in the capacity of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

A career F-16 pilot, Brown has logged a relatively modest 3,000-flight hours, including 130 combat hours. The son and grandson of U.S. military veterans, Brown has garnered command experience in the Middle East, Europe, and the Indo-Pacific region—to which the larger part of his professional attention will likely henceforth be directed. Prior to being named USAF Chief of Staff, Brown commanded the service’s Pacific Air Forces.

While introducing Brown as his administration’s selection for Chairman, Joe Biden referred to the general as “a proud, butt-kicking American Airman.” Biden added: “General Brown is a warrior descended from a proud line of warriors. He knows what it means to be in the thick of battle and how to keep your cool when things get hard—man.”

FMI: www.defense.gov