Gen. Charles Brown Jr. made history on Tuesday when he was confirmed as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, making him the very first African-American to lead one of the branches of the U.S. military. Brown was confirmed by a unanimous 98-0 Senate vote, presided over by Vice President Mike Pence, who called the moment "historic".
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Brown has been with the Air Force since 1984 and has served as a fighter pilot, squadron and wing commander, and commander of the U.S. Pacific Air Forces.
"Gen. Brown’s unrivaled leadership, operational experience, and global perspective will prove crucial as we continue modernizing the Air Force to meet tomorrow’s national security challenges and protect our nation," Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett said in a statement.
After the death of George Floyd, Brown took to YouTube to share his thoughts on being a black man in the U.S. Air Force. Watch it here:
Brown will succeed Gen. David Goldfein, who is said to be retiring later this year.
"There is no one I know who is better prepared to be Chief of Staff, no one who has the experience and the temperament to lead the Air Force," Goldfein said. "The Air Force and our nation will be in good hands under his leadership."
Read more about Gen. Charles Brown Jr. on ABC News.