OKC Standard

U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma recently welcomed U.S. Senator Jack Reed, the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, on a tour of several military installations in Oklahoma over the weekend. The visit aimed to gain insights into the current needs and future readiness of the installations and their units in the state.

During the visit, Senator Mullin expressed his admiration for the bipartisan work of the Senate Armed Services Committee, stating, "The Senate Armed Services Committee often represents the best of Congress." He also praised Chairman Reed as a reliable and trustworthy leader who advocates for the military's interests. Senator Mullin highlighted the importance of investing in Oklahoma's military installations to strengthen national defense efforts.

In response, Senator Reed acknowledged the significant contributions of Oklahoma to national security, saying, "I appreciate Senator Mullin hosting me to see the remarkable work being done at Tinker, Ft. Sill, Altus, and McAlester Army Ammunition Plant." He commended Senator Mullin's commitment to supporting America's warfighters and emphasized Oklahoma's crucial role as a partner in equipping the defense industrial base.

The senators commenced their tour at Tinker Air Force Base, receiving briefings on various operations and updates. They also visited Fort Sill to discuss lessons from current conflicts and observed live fire demonstrations. Additionally, they toured Altus AFB to learn about Air Mobility assets and manpower support.

The visit concluded with a productive trip to McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, where the senators were briefed on operations and missions. The discussions encompassed a wide range of topics related to national security and military preparedness.

The senators' tour comes at a crucial time as Congress works on developing the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act. In the previous year, Senator Mullin secured substantial funding for Oklahoma's military installations, higher education aerospace programs, and defense industry partners through the FY24 NDAA.

The visit underscored the importance of bipartisan collaboration in addressing the nation's defense needs and showcased Oklahoma's vital role in supporting the military.