Rep. Zach Nunn promoted to colonel in the US Air Force after 20 years of service

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, was promoted to colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve at a private ceremony on Tuesday.

“After 20 years of service, I am honored to earn the rank of colonel in the U.S. Air Force,” said Nunn. His previous rank was lieutenant colonel, and he is now four ranks from general.

Nunn said that his time in the Air Force taught him "values I rely on every day as a father, colonel, and congressman."

According to the U.S. House website, Nunn served almost two decades as an airborne intelligence officer. He flew recon missions off the coast of China and Russia. After 9/11, he was deployed to the Middle East three times, earning a variety of commendations.

In 2021, Nunn returned from assignment under Gen. Charles Brown, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, with artificial intelligence.

He then served on the White House’s National Security Council and commanded expeditionary forces during Donald Trump's presidency. He defeated Democratic incumbent Rep. Cindy Axne in 2022 to represent Iowa's 3rd Congressional District.

Nunn is still in the Air Force Reserve, and according to the National Guard Association of the United States of America, he is one of 80 U.S. House representatives to have served in uniform.

Ryan Magalh?es is a reporter for the Register. Reach them at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa US Rep. Zach Nunn promoted to Air Force colonel