Press ReleaseBipartisan2026-06-01

Rep. Pfluger Calls for Airpower Prioritization in NDAA

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This press release from Representative August Pfluger (R-TX) was published on 2026-06-01 and titled "Rep. Pfluger Calls for Airpower Prioritization in NDAA".

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Rep. Pfluger Calls for Airpower Prioritization in NDAA

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) – a U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) graduate, battle-tested fighter pilot, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, and Chairman of the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors – has been an outspoken leader for Airpower prioritization in this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Earlier this month, Rep. Pfluger continued his leadership, helping convene a bipartisan roundtable on Airpower with Lieutenant General David Deptula, U.S Air Force (retired), and members of the For Country Caucus to discuss today's readiness challenge and the urgent need to invest in American Airpower. During the roundtable, General Deptula shared his candid insights on rebuilding capacity, modernizing aging aircraft, strengthening readiness, and ensuring the U.S. maintains air superiority for generations to come. In the same week, Rep. Pfluger publicly endorsed Senator Budd and Senator Shaheen's package of three Airpower bills, and is hopeful to see the package included in this year's final NDAA. Read more about this legislation with a portion of Rep. Pfluger's interview with Breaking Defense here or by clicking the image below. To continue the conversation and his advocacy for Airpower, Rep. Pfluger will join Lieutenant Gen eral Deptula in person this coming Tuesday, June 2, for the Aerospace Nation Podcast with the Mitchell Institute. The conversation will be livestreamed, and you can tune in by RSVPing here or by clicking the image below. Background: This advocacy builds on Rep. Pfluger's ongoing leadership in advocating for strengthening our Air Force. In April 2026, Rep. Pfluger delivered a forceful call to action before the House Armed Services Committee, urging the committee to make investing in and strengthening the Air Force a top priority in this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In March 2026, Rep. Pfluger published an op-ed in The Washington Post , highlighting that while our Air Force remains unmatched in capability, it is currently the oldest and smallest it has ever been. He also outlined the urgent need to reverse the decades-long trend of underinvestment to ensure the Air Force is equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Read the full op-ed here . In June 2025, Rep. Pfluger and Lt. General David Deptula penned an op-ed in The Hill outlining how the spectacular airstrike we witnessed in Iran that successfully destroyed Iran's nuclear facilities should be a wake-up call if we are serious about preparing for sustained conflict with adversaries like China. In the op-ed, they argued that Congress must invest in U.S. Airpower because, to put it simply, we lack the depth to conduct this kind of operation repeatedly, or at scale. Rep. Pfluger also penned an op-ed in Newsweek in June 2025 titled, American Airpower Obliterated Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions—Rightfully So, following the spectacular success of Operation Midnight Hammer. Read the full op-ed here .

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Rep. Pfluger Calls for Airpower Prioritization in NDAA WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) – a U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) graduate, battle-tested fighter pilot, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, and Chairman of the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors – has been an outspoken leader for Airpower prioritization in this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Earlier this month, Rep. Pfluger continued his leadership, helping convene a bipartisan roundtable on Airpower with Lieutenant General David Deptula, U.S Air Force (retired), and members of the For Country Caucus to discuss today's readiness challenge and the urgent need to invest in American Airpower. During the roundtable, General Deptula shared his candid insights on rebuilding capacity, modernizing aging aircraft, strengthening readiness, and ensuring the U.S. maintains air superiority for generations to come. In the same week, Rep. Pfluger publicly endorsed Senator Budd and Senator Shaheen's package of three Airpower bills, and is hopeful to see the package included in this year's final NDAA. Read more about this legislation with a portion of Rep. Pfluger's interview with Breaking Defense here or by clicking the image below. To continue the conversation and his advocacy for Airpower, Rep. Pfluger will join Lieutenant Gen eral Deptula in person this coming Tuesday, June 2, for the Aerospace Nation Podcast with the Mitchell Institute. The conversation will be livestreamed, and you can tune in by RSVPing here or by clicking the image below. Background: This advocacy builds on Rep. Pfluger's ongoing leadership in advocating for strengthening our Air Force. In April 2026, Rep. Pfluger delivered a forceful call to action before the House Armed Services Committee, urging the committee to make investing in and strengthening the Air Force a top priority in this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In March 2026, Rep. Pfluger published an op-ed in The Washington Post , highlighting that while our Air Force remains unmatched in capability, it is currently the oldest and smallest it has ever been. He also outlined the urgent need to reverse the decades-long trend of underinvestment to ensure the Air Force is equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Read the full op-ed here . In June 2025, Rep. Pfluger and Lt. General David Deptula penned an op-ed in The Hill outlining how the spectacular airstrike we witnessed in Iran that successfully destroyed Iran's nuclear facilities should be a wake-up call if we are serious about preparing for sustained conflict with adversaries like China. In the op-ed, they argued that Congress must invest in U.S. Airpower because, to put it simply, we lack the depth to conduct this kind of operation repeatedly, or at scale. Rep. Pfluger also penned an op-ed in Newsweek in June 2025 titled, American Airpower Obliterated Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions—Rightfully So, following the spectacular success of Operation Midnight Hammer. Read the full op-ed here .