WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The White House said on Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump intended to nominate an Air Force veteran for a key post at the Department of State.

According to a statement issued by the White House, Trump intended to nominate David Stilwell as an assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

Stilwell is an Air Force veteran with more than 35 years of experience as a pilot, commander, and Korean linguist, the White House said, adding he retired in 2015 with the rank of Brigadier General.

Stilwell currently is director of the China Strategic Focus Group at the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters in Hawaii and an adjunct senior fellow at the East West Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Previously, he served as staff officer for joint staff plans and policy (Asia) at the Pentagon and defense attache at the U.S. embassy in China.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, U.S. Air Command and Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College.

Stilwell is also a recipient of the Department of Defense Superior Service Award. He speaks Korean, Chinese, and limited Japanese.