US confirms first African-American head of military branch

The US senate votes in Gen Charles Brown as Air Force chief of staff

General Charles Q. Brown was appointed Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. AFP

The US senate has confirmed Gen Charles Brown as Air Force chief of staff, the first black American to ever lead one of the Pentagon's six armed services.

Gen Brown, 57, currently commander of the Pacific Air Forces, will become only the second black American to serve on the powerful joint chiefs of staff, after former joint chiefs chair Colin Powell during 1989-1993.

His confirmation, in a unanimous 98-0 vote in the Senate, comes as protests continue around the country over racism and mistreatment of black people in the wake of the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.

President Donald Trump cheered the confirmation in a tweet.

"A historic day for America! Excited to work even more closely with Gen. Brown, who is a Patriot and Great Leader!" he wrote.

Adding his voice to national black leaders on pervasive racism, last week Gen Brown made a moving statement about the hurdles he faced growing up and rising in military hierarchy as an African-American man, often the only one in his squadron or in the room with other officers.

The Texas native said he thought his nomination might bring others hope.

However, he said, "I can't fix centuries of racism in our country."