Feb 24, 2025 Story by: Editor
General Charles Q. Brown, Jr. served as the 21st Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, holding the position of the nation’s highest-ranking military officer. In this capacity, he acted as the principal military advisor to the President, Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council.
Before assuming the role of Chairman on October 1, 2023, General Brown held the position of the 22nd Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force.
Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, General Brown was commissioned in 1984 after graduating as a distinguished cadet from the Air Force ROTC program at Texas Tech University.
Throughout his career, he has held various roles at the squadron and wing levels, including serving as an F-16 Fighting Falcon Instructor at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School. His notable staff assignments include serving as Aide-de-Camp to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Director of the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff Executive Action Group. His joint service experience includes three assignments at U.S. Central Command, where he worked as an Air Operations Officer in the Current Operations Division, served as Deputy Director in the Operations Directorate, and later became Deputy Commander.
General Brown has led multiple commands, including a fighter squadron, the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, and two fighter wings. Additionally, he has twice served as a Combined/Joint Air Component Commander, overseeing command tours at U.S. Air Forces Central Command and Pacific Air Forces.
As a command pilot, he has accumulated over 3,100 flight hours, predominantly in the F-16, with 130 of those hours spent in combat. He has flown more than 20 different fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. Over his years of service, he has either deployed for or provided direct support to several military operations, including Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, Operation NORTHERN WATCH, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Operation ODYSSEY DAWN, Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR, and Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.
General Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. His extensive military education includes graduation from the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School, recognition as a distinguished graduate from Air Command and Staff College, and completion of studies at the Air War College. Additionally, he was a National Defense Fellow at the Institute for Defense Analyses.
General Brown and his wife, Mrs. Sharene Brown, have been married for over 35 years and are proud parents of two sons.
Source: US Department of Defence
