Oklahoma City -- U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, visited the Sooner State last week.
Oklahoma's junior U.S. Senator, Markwayne Mullin of Westville accompanied Reed as he toured military installations to (in the words of a press release from Mullin's office), "better understand current needs and future readiness of the installations and their units.
On Saturday, the two federal legislators visited the Air National Guard installation adjacent to Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, as well as the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant.
Chairman Reed on Friday (April 12) visited Tinker Air Force Base (east of Oklahoma City, Fort Still (U.S. Army installation adjacent to Lawston) and the Air Force Base at Altus. Mullin worked closely with Sen. Reed and his staff, and officials at the varied bases, to assure the visit was productive.
For more detailed reflections from Sen. Mullin on the importance he places on the state's military facilities, read this 2023 commentary:
( https://www.citynewsokc.com/news/mullin-it-over-investing-in-oklahoma/article_d80e2d37-ef94-548d-b034-80d0af5a8b1e.html )
In a recent press release sent to CityNewsOKC, Mullin reflected:
“The Senate Armed Services Committee often represents the best of Congress.
“While Chairman Reed and I don’t agree on every policy issue, he is a reliable and trustworthy leader who sets the tone for strong bipartisan work on behalf of our men and women in uniform. It was a pleasure to have Chairman Reed in Oklahoma ... to see firsthand how our state is training world-class Airmen, National Guardsmen, and Soldiers, equipping our national defense efforts, and modernizing our armed forces.
“As we work to appropriate funds in our annual defense bill, I’m confident that the Chairman not only understands Oklahoma’s defense needs but sees the value of investing in Oklahoma’s installations to strengthen our military communities and our nation. I look forward to working alongside Chairman Reed over the coming months to support and protect Oklahoma’s proud military legacy.”
For his part, Reed (who served in the U.S. Army as a 82nd Airborne Division infantry officer after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy (West Point, New York), commented:
“I appreciate Senator Mullin hosting me to see the remarkable work being done at Tinker, Ft. Sill, Altus, and McAlester Army Ammunition Plant. Oklahoma has a long history of bolstering U.S. national security, and it was an honor to speak with the exceptional military service-members and civilian personnel we met today. I salute Senator Mullin for his bipartisan commitment to America’s war-fighters. When it comes to equipping our defense industrial base, Oklahoma will always be a vital partner”
Saturday morning was spent at the Will Rogers Air National Guard Base. Thereafter, they traveled to the MCSSP. Together they examined 813 Outlan operations and, the press release said, "were briefed on the B175 and 117B. Senators Mullin and Reed then traveled to the MCAAP Multi-Purpose Load Facility (MPLF) for a mission overview, followed by a HAWK Missile tour."
Mullin's work on the Armed Services panel helped secure the taxpayer revenue used to plan and design a new Water Treatment at the McAlester installation.
( https://www.citynewsokc.com/business/mullin-supports-national-defense-authorization-act-including-money-for-oklahoma-installations/article_d715fbf6-9de2-11ee-89a4-8be71d0fb424.html )
Late Friday, Mullin and Reed were at the Altus installation, receiving "an 97th Air Mobility Wing mission brief and visited Hanger 285 and KC-46 Static. They spoke with Altus leadership, including Col. Jeffery M. Marshall, Col. Adam H. Rosado, and Chief Master Sgt. Justin R. Brundage about their continued support for Air Mobility assets and KC-46 manpower."
Mullin has frequently visited Altus Air Force Base and the return excusion underscores the role he has said community advocacy plays in maintaining and improving he installation's work.
( https://www.citynewsokc.com/business/mullin-tours-western-oklahoma-highlighting-armed-services-committee-and-other-work/article_c9b68b64-d7c3-11ed-90a1-13ec8131d6b5.html )
During the heart of the day on Friday, at Fort Sill near Lawton, "they spoke about lessons from the ongoing Ukraine conflict and how the Army is working to support the U.S. defense industrial base.”
“They also got an update on 434th Field Artillery Brigade (FAB) basic training and witnessed live fire demonstrations. They concluded the visit at Joint Counter UAS University (JCU) to discuss modernization efforts and how the military is training future warfighters to combat emerging threats. Senators Mullin and Reed were joined by Maj. Gen. Winston P. Brooks, Command Sgt. Maj. Neil H. Sartain, Mr. Joe Gallagher, Deputy to the Commanding Gen., and Brig. Gen. Curtis W. King, as well as Col. John M. Barefield, and Brig. Gen. Shane P. Morgan."
The Friday morning tours and briefings began at Oklahoma's largest military installation, Tinker Air Force Base at Midwest City, immediately adajacent to Oklahoma's capital city.
The Friday working visit included, the Mullin staff press release said, "a briefing on the Air Logistics Complex and update on the KC-46 alongside Brig. Gen. Brian Moore, Col. Abigail Ruscetta, and Col. Kenneth Voigt. They also visited with the 552nd Air Control Wing to discuss E-3 operations and preparations for fielding the upcoming E-7."
Mullin has often interacted with leadership at the Tinker installation, the state’s most important permanent example of close ties between the U.S. military and the people and government of Oklahoma.
( https://www.citynewsokc.com/business/senator-markwayne-mullin-gets-operations-update-during-visit-to-tinker-air-force-base/article_39fe4e52-dba7-11ed-a421-57a6e5bc7e20.html )
Mullin's communications staff pointed to the Fiscal Year 2025 budget cycle, noting that "Congress is in the process of developing the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a critical annual defense bill which funds our military and national security needs." In Fical year 2024 budget work, Mullin points to securing "$152 million for Oklahoma’s military installations, and over $122 million in funding for Oklahoma’s higher education aerospace programs and defense industry partners."
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