WASHINGTON —On Thursday, President Joe Biden announced that he is selecting Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. to serve as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

This appointment is significant as it marks the first time in history that both the top military and civilian positions in the Pentagon will be held by African Americans.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the first Black Pentagon chief, has been in his role since the start of the administration. The only other Black person to have served as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was Army Gen. Colin Powell.

The nomination of Gen. Brown has been widely anticipated. If confirmed by the Senate, he will replace Army Gen. Mark Milley, whose term ends in October, as the nation's highest-ranking military officer.

President Biden has chosen Gen. Brown for this position due to his extensive knowledge of China and his background as a history-making fighter pilot. Brown's work in modernizing the U.S. aircraft fleet and nuclear arsenal, as well as his experience in shaping U.S. defenses to address China's growing influence, were key factors in Biden's decision.

Furthermore, Gen. Brown has been actively involved in the Pentagon's efforts to provide Ukraine with substantial amounts of U.S. weaponry as Ukraine faces an ongoing invasion by Russia. President Biden plans to formally announce Gen. Brown's nomination during a Rose Garden event on Thursday afternoon.