Last week, U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin, R-Fla., helped launch the MACH 1 Caucus.
The new congressional caucus will “serve as a group of members dedicated to policy issues important to the fighter pilot community and educating other members on these issues.”
Other founders include U.S. Reps. Jake Ellzey, R-Texas, Mike Garcia, R-Calif., and August Pfluger, R-Texas.
Ellzey and Garcia served as fighter pilots in the Navy. Pfluger was a fighter pilot in the Air Force.
Franklin’s office offered some of the details on the Central Florida congressman’s service in the Navy.
“Rep. Franklin graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and is a retired naval aviator. He flew jets from the decks of 13 aircraft carriers during 26 years of service, including 14 years on active duty, followed by 12 years in the reserves. He deployed to the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf, and North Atlantic, and participated in combat operations in the Persian Gulf, Bosnia and Kosovo. He was recalled to active duty twice after 9/11 with U.S. Central Command,” the congressman’s office noted.
“It’s an honor to join my fellow military jet aviators in Congress to launch the MACH 1 Caucus,” said Franklin. “I look forward to working together as we apply our military knowledge and experiences to develop policy and educate our colleagues on issues and needs that are critical to our nation’s air power.”
Franklin was elected to Congress in 2020, after defeating U.S. Rep. Ross Spano, R-Fla., in the primary. He serves on the U.S House Armed Services Committee.
