Joe Biden announced who will serve as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the top US military officer. The president announced ahead of the official event that he has picked US Air Force chief General Charles Q Brown for the high-ranking position. Brown is a former fighter pilot with experience in the Pacific, which could come in useful as the US experiences heightened tensions with China. The officer's appointment is subject to Senate confirmation. If approved, Brown would be only the second Black officer to become chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, after Colin Powell 20 years ago. A senior Biden administration official told Reuters that the president had accepted Mr Austin's recommendation to pick Brown for the position, as the officer "understands the strategic challenges the United States faces around the world." Watch more videos at the Independent TV: https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/editors-picks Click here to subscribe to The Independent: https://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-Independent About The Independent: Making Change Happen. The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Connect with The Independent: Check out our full video catalog: null Videos, daily editorial and more: http://www.theindy.com/ Click here to get the best of The Independent daily: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Like The Independent on Facebook: https://www.fb.com/TheIndependentOnline Follow The Independent on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Independent Follow The Independent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.independent Download the iOS & Android app: https://www.independent.co.uk/subscribe/app Help to support truly independent journalism. Every dollar you contribute will directly fund additional special reports and investigations from a free-thinking, award-winning newsroom you can trust - https://www.independent.co.uk/donations Subscribe to Independent Premium for exclusive content & live events: https://bit.ly/2MiOONB