Birth name Charles Q. Brown, Jr. Education Texas Tech University Name Charles Brown | Rank Lieutenant General Years of service 1985 – present | |
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Allegiance United States of America Awards Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Defense Superior Service Medal
Bronze Star
Aerial Achievement Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
NATO Medal
Republic of Korea Order of National Security Merit (Samil Medal) | ||
Service/branch United States Air Force | ||
3-Star General Visits Texas Tech
Charles Q. Brown Jr. (born 1962) is commander of the United States Air Forces Central Command, Southwest Asia. As the air component commander for United States Central Command, he is responsible for developing contingency plans and conducting air operations in a 20-nation area of responsibility covering Central and Southwest Asia.
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Early Education
Brown's active duty career began in 1985, when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He was a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.
In 1994, he earned a master's degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, in Daytona Beach, Florida.
In 2012, the Texas Tech Alumni Association declared Charles Q. Brown Jr., a "Distinguished Graduate" of Texas Tech University.
Career
At the time of his promotion to flag rank, he was commander of the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base in Italy.
He has served in a variety of positions at the squadron and wing level, including an assignment to the United States Air Force Weapons School as an F-16 instructor. His notable staff tours include aide-de-camp to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force; director, Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff Executive Action Group; and deputy director, operations, U.S. Central Command. He also served as a national defense fellow at the Institute for Defense Analyses, Alexandria, VA.
Brown has commanded a fighter squadron, the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, and two fighter wings. Prior to his current assignment, he served as director, operations, strategic deterrence, and nuclear integration, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe—Air Forces Africa, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. He is a command pilot with more than 2,890 flying hours, including 95 combat hours.