became the new Air Force chief of staff on Thursday, making history as the first African American to lead one of the military services.

David Goldfein, as the Air Force's 22nd chief of staff at a ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, where the significance of the moment was not lost on Brown.

Barrett administers the oath of office to incoming Air Force Chief of Staff Gen.

Brown Jr.during the CSAF Transfer of Responsibility ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug.

The former Air Force pilot was the first African American astronaut candidate in the 1960's.

"It was because of their trials and tribulations in breaking barriers that I can address you today as the Air Force chief of staff," said Brown.

Colin Powell was the first African American to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the early 1990's, but he did so as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs -- not because he was the Army chief of staff.

Mark Milley, the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also highlighted the historic moment in his remarks.

"In CQ, we have all that is good about America," Milley said, referring to Brown by his pilot call sign.

Incoming Air Force Chief of Staff General Charles Q.

Milley characterized Thursday's ceremony as being about more than Goldfein and Brown -- saying that it was representative of an idea that military service members swear to defend and for which they are willing to give their lives.

The nation's top military officer also said, "we can all see the living embodiment of that idea" in Goldfein and Brown

In the Air Force he recalled being the only African American in his flight squadron and sometimes being asked if he was a pilot

is sworn in as Chief of Staff of the Air Force in the Oval Office of the White House, Aug

Brown said that as the chief of staff he hoped he would have the skills needed in leading during difficult times and to make improvements in diversity so that every airman could reach their potential