Rep. August Pfluger discussed U.S. strategy regarding Iran, the importance of airpower, and military readiness during an interview with Jessica Rosenthal on the Fox News Rundown Podcast, according to a Mar. 30 statement.
The conversation addressed ongoing security challenges facing the United States and highlighted what is needed to ensure that American forces remain prepared for future conflicts.
Pfluger drew from his experience as a former Air Force fighter pilot and his current role as Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. He said that deterrence requires unity among allies in the Middle East who have faced missile attacks in their cities and ports: “I think on the strategic front, you have to have this situation where the Iranian regime knows that the United States of America, and hopefully our allies and our partners… come together and we mean business… it’s time for the regime to lay down their arms, to lay down their nuclear weapons.” He also praised past leadership during Operation Epic Fury.
Discussing investment in airpower, Pfluger said: “The Department of the Air Force is the smallest and the oldest and yet the most tasked department of all… responsible for providing joint air power solutions that have been able to take down a nuclear regime… But even with a smaller budget than other departments, the Air Force is being tasked to do all these things.” He called for recapitalization efforts so weapon systems are ready for evolving threats including those posed by China.
On munitions stockpiles, Pfluger stated: “We need a mixture of high, low, exquisite, non-exquisite, inexpensive weapon systems that can achieve a variety of effects.” He emphasized faster production cycles involving both established contractors and innovative startups.
Pfluger also commented on recruitment trends: “Recruitment is up. We have finally gotten rid of DEI and divisive policies that Joe Biden championed… we’re finally emerging out of that mess.” Training skilled personnel remains a focus across all branches.
Pfluger has served in Congress representing Texas’s 11th District since 2021 after replacing Mike Conaway according to Ballotpedia. In 2020 he won election over Jon Mark Hogg with nearly 80% of votes cast as reported by The Texas Tribune. Born in Houston in 1978 at age 44 he currently resides in San Angelo.
