The 132nd Wing in Des Moines once held the best F-16 training record in American history. Then its flying mission was taken away — and the F-16s with it.
Zoom in: Iowa’s Guardsmen didn’t give up — as a Colonel in the Air Force Reserve, I know firsthand that they never do. They rebuilt into a world-class drone, cyber, and intelligence operation, on a runway they still share with Des Moines International Airport.
🎥 I made Iowa’s case for why they deserve to fly again on the House Floor. ⬇️
Why it matters: Our adversaries are racing to field their most advanced aircraft, and America should put every ready base to work. That’s why I led an amendment in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act directing the Air Force, National Guard, and STRATCOM to identify Air Guard bases like the 132nd to host the next-generation aircraft at the forefront of our national defense. We don’t need to pour billions into new concrete when the runway is already here.
That was one of eight amendments I secured in this year’s defense bill — every one passed with bipartisan support — to:
🎖️ Strengthen mental health and suicide-prevention support for servicemembers returning to civilian life
🏭 Back Iowa’s defense workers and small businesses, and accelerate production of the advanced weapon systems that keep America ahead
🤝 Counter the Chinese Communist Party and stand with allies like Taiwan on drones, defense tech, and Pacific readiness
Bottom Line: Iowa is ready to lead our nation’s defense, and I’ll keep fighting to land a permanent flying mission at the 132nd. As a 20-year combat veteran and Colonel in the Air Force Reserve, I’ll never stop making sure those who serve go in with every advantage we can give them.