WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump abruptly fired Air Force Gen. CQ Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday, sidelining a history-making fighter pilot and respected officer as part of a campaign to rid the military of leaders who support diversity and equity in the ranks.
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Photos: Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr.
In this image provided by the U.S. Air Force, Lt. Col. C.Q. Brown, Jr. deployed as an F-16 squadron commander in support of Operation Southern Watch in 2001, walks on the flight line. Brown also deployed or directly supported Operation Northern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Odyssey Dawn and Operation Unified Protector, and Operation Inherent Resolve. President Joe Biden is expected to announce Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr., a history-making fighter pilot with recent experience countering China in the Pacific, to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (U.S. Air Force via AP)
In this image provided by the U.S. Air Force, Lt. Col. C.Q. Brown, Jr. pilots an F-16 Fighting Falcon in support of Operation Southern Watch, Iraq, in the early 2000s. Brown is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours, including 130 combat hours. President Joe Biden is expected to announce Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr., a history-making fighter pilot with recent experience countering China in the Pacific, to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. If confirmed by the Senate, Brown would replace the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, whose term ends in October. (U.S. Air Force via AP)
In this image provided by the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr.'s wife, Sharene Brown, left, and mother, Kay Brown, right, pin on Brown's first star during his promotion to brigadier general on Sept. 18, 2009, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. President Joe Biden is expected to announce Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr., a history-making fighter pilot with recent experience countering China in the Pacific, to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. If confirmed by the Senate, Brown would replace the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, whose term ends in October. (Staff Sgt. Patrick Dixon/U.S. Air Force)
FILE - President Donald Trump watches as Vice President Mike Pence swears in Gen. C.Q. Brown, Jr. as Chief of Staff of the Air Force as his wife Sharene Guilford Brown holds the Bible in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Washington. President Joe Biden is expected to announce Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr., a history-making fighter pilot with recent experience countering China in the Pacific, to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. If confirmed by the Senate, Brown would replace the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, whose term ends in October.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
FILE - Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown, Jr., departs after speaking about U.S. defense strategy at the Brookings Institution in Washington, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. President Joe Biden is expected to nominate a history-making Air Force fighter pilot general with years of experience in shaping U.S. defenses to meet China's rise to serve as the nation's next top military officer, according to two people familiar with the decision. If confirmed by the Senate, Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr. would replace the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, whose term ends in October. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
FILE - Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown, Jr. speaks about U.S. defense strategy at the Brookings Institution in Washington, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. President Joe Biden is expected to nominate a history-making Air Force fighter pilot general with years of experience in shaping U.S. defenses to meet China's rise to serve as the nation's next top military officer, according to two people familiar with the decision. If confirmed by the Senate, Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr. would replace the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, whose term ends in October. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
FILE - Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, center, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, left, and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr. applaud as members of the Air Force Academy arrive in the East Room of the White House, Friday, April 28, 2023, in Washington. President Joe Biden is expected to announce Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr., a history-making fighter pilot with recent experience countering China in the Pacific, to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. If confirmed by the Senate, Brown would replace the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, whose term ends in October. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
