WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today praised the confirmation of Gen. Lloyd Austin, President Biden’s nominee to be Secretary of Defense:

“Gen. Lloyd Austin is an extraordinary candidate who is well-qualified to lead the Department of Defense,” Wicker said. “As a four star general, Gen. Austin led troops in combat in the Middle East. Now, as a civilian, he will use that experience to lead the largest department in the U.S. government. I look forward to working with him to implement our national defense strategy and to build a stronger U.S. Navy fleet.”

Austin previously served as the 12th commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM), which directs combat operations in the Middle East. Austin was the first black commander of CENTCOM, and is the first black secretary of defense.