WASHINGTON, D.C. — Monday, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) and Colonel Matthew Reilman proudly hosted General Charles Q. Brown, Jr., the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, at Goodfellow Air Force Base (GAFB) for a tour of the base’s capabilities and needs. General Brown is the first Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and the highest-ranking official, to have ever visited GAFB.

Following the tour, Congressman Pfluger was joined by Tom Green County Judge Stephen C. Floyd, Tom Green County Judge-Elect Lane Carter, San Angelo Mayor Brenda Gunter, community leader Mike Boyd, and San Angelo Chamber of Commerce CEO Walt Koenig for a press conference. Excerpts of remarks following:

Rep. August Pfluger: “General Brown’s historic visit to Goodfellow is monumental. I was proud to visit with the General about the critical importance of Goodfellow to national security, and make the case for why Goodfellow deserves investments in permanent solutions for the base housing shortage, as well as expanded mission assets. The United States is facing a complex threat environment—with bad actors rising up in various theaters. At the heart of defending this Nation stands Goodfellow Air Force Base and the 12,000 professionals who graduate right here and begin their careers to keep our Nation safe. I am so proud of the team of leaders in San Angelo and at Goodfellow who have dedicated years to ensuring this successful partnership.”

Judge Stephen C. Floyd: “I’m honored … to be part of a team that really thinks it’s a privilege to have this facility within our community, not a right. I’m so thankful for the citizens that thirty years ago showed up to support and keep this base off the closure list, and now we’re in a growth mode. I think that’s what the Chief’s visit signifies—that we are in a growth mode, and it makes our community better.”

Judge-Elect Lane Carter: “The mission here at Goodfellow is very vital and critical to our region here—San Angelo, Tom Green County, and the outlying areas. Everything we can do to support this region through Goodfellow … is only going to grow this base and our region, help our economy, and move forward to provide a good quality of life for all of our Airmen.”

Mayor Brenda Gunter: San Angelo has received the Altus award three times. No other city in the state of Texas, or other states, has received it more than once, and we’ve received it three times. That says a lot about this community. This community says ‘What do you need? We’re there for you. We will get you what you need. We will support you.’”

Mike Boyd: “The partnership is unique—we see it when we go all around the state. There’s no place like San Angelo—between the city, the county, and the individuals who like to help the Goodfellow Air Force Base personnel. So, I congratulate August for getting this together. I seriously appreciate him getting the Chief here.”

San Angelo Chamber of Commerce CEO Walt Koenig: “It’s a great day for San Angelo today. To have the Chief of the Staff of the Air Force for his first visit to San Angelo is certainly a milestone ... We’re very grateful for the great economic benefits that the base brings, but I think, as a community, we are likewise grateful for the great cultural impact, and the great history that San Angelo has shared with Goodfellow Air Force base over the years … We’re looking forward to a great future.”

Photos of the visit can be downloaded here.

GAFB is currently experiencing a shortage of student housing, complicated by a delay in the construction of a new 400-bed residence hall.

Congressman Pfluger has met with the commander at GAFB and the Director of Air Education and Training Command (AETC) to find a solution and help move the needle on this issue. Congressman Pfluger has hosted Whip Steve Scalise, Ranking Member Ken Calvert, and Rep. Tony Gonzalez in San Angelo to discuss these issues. In addition, Congressman Pfluger has also sponsored an appropriations amendment requesting a report on the status of unfinished military construction (MILCON) projects within AETC. The House Appropriations Committee included Congressman Pfluger’s report language in the MILCON/VA House appropriations bill that urged the Air Force to prioritize funding for AETC facility design, construction, and construction improvements and requests a report within 90 days of enactment of this Act regarding plans to modernize, upgrade, and construct new AETC facilities over the next five years.