Testing the F-35 Flight Simulator in Valdosta

It doesn't get better than Georgia grown and Georgia flown!

On Wednesday, I joined Lockheed Martin and the Valdosta Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the F-35 Lightning 2's upcoming basing at Moody Air Force Base and fly the F-35 cockpit demonstrator.

With the addition of the F-35, the 23rd Wing will continue the tradition of training our nation’s best pilots in the vital close air support mission while achieving and maintaining Air Dominance, just as they did with the esteemed A-10.

Major portions of the F-35 are being built right here in Georgia with some of the key components of the amazing F135 engine that powers the F-35 Lightning being made in Columbus. The largest sub-assembly or “chunk” of the F-35, called the "Inner Wing," is made in Marietta. 

As we celebrate this development, I will continue to fight for Moody AFB in Congress as your Representative.

Meeting with the Israel Consul General

In South Georgia, I recently met with Anat Sultan-Dadon, the Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States.

I stand firmly behind Israel as they defend themselves from Hamas terrorists. Israel is our close friend and ally, and the only democracy in the Middle East. Any attack on Israel is, by extension, an attack on the United States.

Due to the alarming increase of antisemitic acts displayed across our nation and our college campuses, many Jews outside of Israel are questioning their safety. I am shocked and disappointed at these demonstrations, and they will not be tolerated anywhere here in Georgia. I believe that any university president tolerating antisemitic behavior should be removed and held accountable.

Hamas does not want peace. The terrorist organization has had several opportunities to return hostages, but instead, they continue to commit horrific acts of terrorism against innocent civilians and spread propaganda blaming Israel.

I assured the Consul General that Georgia sees any attack on Israel as an attack on the United States, and Israel will continue to have our state's full support in defending itself against these horrific attacks.

Read more here.

Meeting with the Robins Regional Chamber

I also attended the Robins Regional Chamber Congressional Breakfast last week and spoke with members about my support of the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The FY25 NDAA improves servicemember quality of life by boosting compensation, improving housing, ensuring access to medical care, enhancing support for military spouses, and increasing access to childcare.

Robins AFB is instrumental to our national security and local economy in Middle Georgia. I appreciate the community support of our military families, and I will continue to support them as a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

The Tifton Gazette | Consul General of Israel to Southeastern United States visits Thomasville, speaks on unity

"As Israel braces for a retaliatory attack by Iran and acts of anti-semitism run rampant throughout the United States, Anat Sultan-Dadon, Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States, is calling for Americans to unite and see attacks on Israel as attacks on America.

Sultan-Dadon visited Thomas University on Monday to speak about the terror Jewish people have faced since Hamas’ surprise attack 312 days ago, killing the largest number of Jewish people in a single day since the Holocaust, and how the people of Georgia can denounce this violence...

Congressman Austin Scott was in attendance and explained that the University System of Georgia’s donors and supporters have made it clear they will not stand for demonstrations or actions such as this on their campuses.

'Americans were shocked and disappointed,' Scott said. 'Had those protests been against anyone else, they would’ve been shut down immediately and they didn’t do that. The conduct of these university presidents was unacceptable.'

Sultan-Dadon went on to say that these acts are incredibly dangerous for the United States."

Read more here.

The Valdosta Daily Times |South Georgia introduced to Air Force's F-35 jets

"South Georgia’s political leadership got an update and a close-up view of the new fighter jet coming to Moody Air Force Base during two events this week — a cockpit view, in fact...

Wednesday, local leaders gathered at the Rainwater Conference Center to meet Air Force personnel and representatives from the F-35’s prime contractor, Lockheed Martin, to get an up-close look at the program.

U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., spoke about the F-35’s economic impact on Georgia, with major portions of the plane being built in Marietta and Columbus. More than 1,000 F-35s have been delivered to the U.S. military and international allies, he said.

'The F-35 is the most lethal, survivable, connected aircraft in the world,' Scott said."

Read more here.