Over the past century, Oklahoma has played a crucial role in our nation’s military readiness. Our five world-class installations have been instrumental in training America’s warfighters, while our munition plant kept them supplied on the battlefield, and our depots have surpassed equipment manufacturing and repair standards.That military presence is deeply embedded in our state’s history, carrying our nation through war and peace. It’s an absolute honor to have been appointed to the Senate Armed Services Committee to help carry on this legacy and play a small part in preserving centuries worth of defense excellence. It is a responsibility I will not take lightly.When our military communities succeed, our state succeeds. Together, the five installations employ over 70,000 military personnel and civilians, and contribute $19.3 billion annually to our state’s economy.The McAlester Army Ammunition Plant is the largest storage facility for conventional ammunition in the Department of Defense (DOD), storing nearly one-third of our entire stock, and Tinker Air Force Base (AFB) is the largest military depot repair complex in the world. Further, our Army National Guard had the highest recruitment numbers in the nation in 2021. Our military represents a third of our economy, serving as a direct testament to the success of our bases and the surrounding communities.Tinker AFB has recently been tapped to maintain the United States’ new stealth bomber, Northrup Grumman’s B-21. This is a reflection of the Air Force’s trust in Tinker’s outstanding maintenance capabilities and a nod to the personnel excellence in maintaining the legacy B-1 and B-2 systems. Also, Fort Sill will receive the Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) schoolhouse by Fiscal Year 2024, providing stationed troops with essential training in a new field of warfighting. This will provide incredible opportunities for economic growth as corporations like Epirus and Kratos partner with the DOD to bring the latest technology as well as hundreds of jobs to the thriving Oklahoma aerospace sector.Within Senate Armed Services, I am thrilled to have been assigned to three subcommittees including, Airland; Emerging Threats and Capabilities; and Readiness and Management. These assignments present an excellent opportunity for our state, and I’m proud to give a voice to the installations and military personnel who call Oklahoma home. I look forward to working with the Ranking Member, Roger Wicker and remaining in lockstep with leadership across the state to advance our shared priorities.As our nation faces increased security threats and unprecedented global challenges,
