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First African American Leads US Military Service Branch

Carla Babb

   WASHINGTON - An African American officerwillnowlead a U.S. military
   service branch for the first time in history,afterthe Senate
   confirmedGen. Charles BrownJr. on Tuesdayas U.S. Air ForceChief of
   Staffin aunanimousvoteof 98-0.

   Prior to his confirmation, Brown served as thecommanderofU.S.Pacific
   Air Forces, responsible for Air Force activities in
   theU.S.andIndo-Pacific Commandtheater spread over half the globe.

   He also served as the deputy commander for U.S. Central Command, which
   overseas U.S. military activity in the Middle East,from July 2016-July
   2018. Before that,he was the commander of U.S. Air Forces Central
   Command.

   Brown's historic confirmationcomes as the country is engulfed in
   protests over racial and social injustice after African American George
   Floyd died in police custody last month.

   "I'm thinking about how my nominationcan provide some hope,but also
   comes with a heavy burden. I can't fix centuries of racism in our
   country, nor can I fix decades of discrimination that may have impacted
   members of our Air Force," Brown saidFridayin a video to the Air Force.

     "As the Commander of Pacific Air Forces, a senior leader in our Air
     Force, and an African-American, many of you may be wondering what
     I'm thinking about the current events surrounding the tragic death
     of George Floyd. Here's what I'm thinking about..." - Gen. CQ Brown,
     Jr. [1]pic.twitter.com/I2sf1067L6
     -- PACAF (@PACAF) [2]June 5, 2020

   In the video,Brown said he hoped for the wisdom and knowledge to lead
   in these "difficult times" and tomake improvements"so that all airmen
   both today and tomorrow appreciate the value of diversity and can serve
   in an environment where they can reach their full potential."

   He spoke candidly about his own experiencesof racism, which he
   said"didn't always sing of liberty and equality," from being asked,"Are
   you a pilot?" as he wore the same flight suit and flight wings as the
   other white pilots in his squadron, tobeing told by other African
   Americans thathe"wasn't black enough"sincehewas spending more time
   withhissquadron thanwith them.

References

   1. https://t.co/I2sf1067L6
   2. https://twitter.com/PACAF/status/1268794618461618177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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