Capital District Times

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Elise Stefanik recently published an op-ed in Real Clear Defense, emphasizing the success of the Air Force's Future Flag Experiment and the importance of innovation in national security. Stefanik highlighted the unique opportunity provided by the Joint Future Flag Experiment led by Air Force Research Lab-Rome in Lewis, New York.

Stefanik, representing New York's 21st Congressional District, noted the historical significance of the region in national security efforts and the continued need for innovation in today's global environment. She stressed the importance of Future Flag in enabling rapid experimentation, testing, and evaluation of emerging technologies for the benefit of the warfighter.

According to Stefanik, Future Flag's collaborative approach allows for direct exchange of ideas and concepts across different communities, facilitating the development of new and unique capabilities tailored to the actual needs of the warfighter. She highlighted the success of Future Flag in enhancing the Air Force's MQ-9 Reaper platform with critical capabilities for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions in the Indo-Pacific Command.

Stefanik advocated for continued support for initiatives like Future Flag, emphasizing the need for the Department of Defense to identify and enable innovative organizations to transition technology to the warfighter efficiently. She underscored the importance of managing risk in pursuit of innovation and ensuring that the best capabilities are provided to those in the field.

The full op-ed by Rep. Elise Stefanik can be accessed on Real Clear Defense.