Inhofe Attends Departure Ceremony at Ft Hood

Inhofe Welcomes Home Oklahoma National Guardsman

Inhofe Says Tinker Facility Will Lead to More Economic Development For Oklahoma

$36 Million In Federal Emergency Relief Funding Coming To Oklahoma

In the News...Enid News: Senator Sees Off Guard

In the News...Lawton Constitution: Local families relish short respite with Guardsmen

In the News....Tulsa World: State gets funds for storm-damaged roads

In the News...Oklahoman: Officials Celebrate Tinkers Plant Lease

Oklahoman Op-Ed: Conversion of plant will mean good news

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Inhofe Attends Departure Ceremony at Ft Hood

On Wednesday, Senator Inhofe attended a departure ceremony for Iraq-bound soldiers held at Fort Hood, Texas, several of whom were from Oklahoma. The troops are expected to deploy to Iraq after Nov. 1 and will likely be in Iraq for about nine months. Troops will be performing base and convoy security duties, mostly around central Iraq. The deployment of those soldiers will bring the Oklahoma National Guard's commitment in Iraq to about 1,500 troops from various components of the Guard.

"Today, as we stand with several of Oklahoma's finest as they prepare to leave for Iraq, we show our appreciation and gratitude for their service and pray for their safety as we continue to fight the War on Terror," Senator Inhofe said. "We recognize not only their commitment to our nation, but the sacrifice and commitment of their loved ones. Oklahoma currently stands as one of the greatest contributors of mobilized Guardsmen in the War on Terrorism. Oklahomans can take pride in the quality and dedication of our citizen-soldiers.

"I was honored to have the opportunity today to visit with the Guardsmen and women from Enid, Altus, Lawton, Chickasha, Elk City and many more communities across our state. As they leave in the upcoming weeks, they will know they have the full support of their fellow Oklahomans and Americans. We could not be more proud of these men and women in uniform, and stand humbled by the sacrifices made by them and their loved ones."

Inhofe Welcomes Home Oklahoma National Guardsman

Senator Inhofe this week welcomed home over 2,600 Oklahoma National Guardsmen from Iraq. Members of the Oklahoma National Guard 45th Infantry Brigade have been arriving home over the past few weeks. The deployment of 2,600 Oklahoma National Guardsmen was the largest contingent of Oklahoma Guardsmen to deploy since the Korean War.

"With deep gratitude, appreciation and with a job well done, I am proud to join my fellow Oklahomans in welcoming home over 2,600 Oklahoma National Guardsmen," Senator Inhofe said. "These brave men and women in the Oklahoma national guard have made us proud and deserve our utmost admiration. Oklahoma currently stands as one of the greatest contributors of mobilized Guardsmen in the War on Terrorism. Whether serving our state at home or our nation abroad, Oklahomans can take pride in the quality and dedication of our citizen-soldiers."

Read Oklahoma News Coverage of the Troops Coming Home

Inhofe Says Tinker Facility Will Lead to More Economic Development For Oklahoma

Senator Inhofe participated in a ceremony at Tinker Air Force base on Thursday recognizing the Sept. 24 signing of a low-cost, long-term Air Force lease with Oklahoma County for 407 acres of land and 3.8 million gross square feet of real property, of which 3.5 million square feet is industrial and administrative space. The leased property is the site of the new Tinker Aerospace Complex. Senator Inhofe, who was instrumental in making the lease signing a reality, joined Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Lt. Gen. Terry Gabreski, Air Force Materiel Command vice commander, Maj. Gen Reno, Oklahoma Air Logistics Center Commander, Lt Gov Askins, County Commissioner Vaughn, State Treasurer Scott Meacham, as well as several other military and civic leaders.

"It's wonderful to be here today with friends of Tinker Air Force Base and friends of the United States Air Force as we celebrate this historic day," Senator Inhofe said. "The Tinker community-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, the State of Oklahoma, and the United States Air Force all came together to do something that is unprecedented in cooperative national security efforts between the federal, state, and local governments.

"Undoubtedly, this is great news for Tinker, Oklahoma City and the entire state as this will likely lead to new jobs and greater economic development. The GM Plant will give the base flexibility to accommodate new military work, leverage new processes and create partnerships with private sector suppliers. In this age of constrained budgets, aging aircraft, and acquisition reform, we must continually seek ways to create efficiencies and cut waste wherever we can. We are facing budget constraints like never before; being forced to meet the needs of our service men and women serving overseas, recapitalizing our fleets of ground vehicles and aircraft, and at the same investing in the modernization and transformation of our force.

"There have been times when it looked like this project was dead but we persevered. In the end, we set Oklahoma City and Tinker Air Force Base on a path of future growth and success. None of this would have been possible without the dedication and support that this community has shown. Many of you have heard me say that there is no greater supporter of the United States military than the communities that exist within this state. This effort proves this to be true beyond any doubt. Throughout this entire process, the discussions I repeatedly heard from local leaders was how this would benefit Tinker and the Air Force. I am so proud to serve the people of Oklahoma, who always seek out that which is best for our country. Today is about a beginning and about the future and I thank everyone who played a role in the GM Plant acquisition"

Secretary Donley said the community initiative to acquire the facility and lease it to the Air Force is "... yet another example of how the great state of Oklahoma and Tinker's surrounding communities work together in an unprecedented partnership to preserve and enhance our national security." He also said the facility will enhance operations at Tinker and provide long term benefits to the Air Force.

Senator Inhofe Remarks As Prepared for Delivery

I have long said that investing in Tinker Air Force Base is an investment in Oklahoma's future. Tinker is the largest single-site employer in Oklahoma and plays a major role not only in our national defense but has long been a cornerstone of our state's economic activity, particularly the aerospace industry. Tinker Air Force Base is vital to supporting operations of both the US Air Force and the US Navy.

With the closure of the GM plant, Tinker was given a unique opportunity to consolidate, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and bring future partnerships into one building that is adjacent to the base. The availability and location of the GM plant coupled with Tinker's need to replace substandard facilities made this proposal an ideal match. By moving the operations of 21 buildings into the new Tinker Aerospace Complex, Tinker Air Force Base will save approximate $2.6 million annually in energy costs and approximately $300 million in military construction costs when the moves are complete. It will allow the Air Force to put several hundred civilians working in three large inadequately air conditioned older facilities into one modern facility and provide them the kind of work environment this world class workforce deserves.

Undoubtedly, this is great news for Tinker, Oklahoma City and the entire state as this will likely lead to new jobs and greater economic development. The GM Plant will give the base flexibility to accommodate new military work, leverage new processes and create partnerships with private sector suppliers. In this age of constrained budgets, aging aircraft, and acquisition reform, we must continually seek ways to create efficiencies and cut waste wherever we can. We are facing budget constraints like never before; being forced to meet the needs of our service men and women serving overseas, recapitalizing our fleets of ground vehicles and aircraft, and at the same investing in the modernization and transformation of our force.

Providing for our national defense is one of the most important roles of the federal government. In order to maintain the world's most formidable military, we must provide it with the best resources, support, and technology. We must also continue to make the critical investments required to modernize and transform our military so that we may confidently confront the challenges of the future. Without this low-cost lease, it would have been impossible to consolidate the aging buildings on Tinker Air Force Base and create the efficiencies and realize the savings that will come about because of it.

I applaud the Air Force for identifying the positive impact that this acquisition will have on operations at Tinker, and I applaud the city, county, and state of Oklahoma for taking this very necessary step to ensuring that Tinker Air Force Base remains a premier installation of the United States military.

$36 Million In Federal Emergency Relief Funding Coming To Oklahoma

Senator Inhofe welcomed news from the Federal Highways Administration on Thursday that the federal government is making $36,161,496 in emergency relief funding to the State of Oklahoma available immediately to cover costs incurred to repair road and bridges damaged by a variety of natural disasters and catastrophic events.

"I am pleased that the Federal government will be making over $36 million in emergency relief funds available for Oklahoma," Senator Inhofe said. "Communities across Oklahoma will greatly benefit from this much needed funding. This funding will be used for repairs or reconstruction of Federal-aid highways and roads on Federal lands that have suffered serious damage as a result of natural disasters or catastrophic failures.

"As the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, meeting Oklahoma's transportation needs has long been a top priority of mine. This is much needed money and I am happy to see it on its way to Oklahoma."

Background:

Title 23, U.S.C., Section 125, authorizes an Emergency Relief (ER) program within the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, for the repair or reconstruction of Federal-aid highways and roads on Federal lands that have suffered serious damage as a result of natural disasters or catastrophic failures from an external cause. These funds are awarded to a State after the President or the Governor issues a formal emergency declaration and the State files a request for ER for the cost of damages to its eligible highways. Eligible repair work includes emergency repairs needed to restore essential traffic, minimize the extent of damage, or protect the remaining facilities as well as permanent repairs necessary to restore the highway to its pre-disaster condition.

Total For Oklahoma - $36,161,496

OK07-2, May 4 - 11, 2007 Flooding - $2,352,482

Rainfall and flooding between May 4th and 11th, 2007 caused damages to Federal-aid highways. Typical damages included: flood-damaged or destroyed roadway embankments and surfaces; drainage structure damage; bridge damage; and timber debris on roadways, ditches, drainage structures, and bridges. The following counties were affected by this event: Atoka, Caddo, Canadian, Cotton, Dewey, Ellis, Grady, Grant, Hughes, Kay, Logan, Noble, Okfuskee, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills, and Tillman.

OK07-3, May 24 - June 10, 2007 Flooding - $4,446,404

Rainfall and flooding between May 24th and June 10th, 2007 caused damages to Federal-aid highways. Typical damages included: flood-damaged or destroyed roadway embankments and surfaces; drainage structure damage; bridge damage; and timber debris on roadways, ditches, drainage structures, and bridges. The following counties were affected by this event: Atoka, Blaine, Bryan, Caddo, Choctaw, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Creek, Garvin, Grady, Grant, Harper, Jefferson, Johnston, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Love, Major, Mayes, McClain, McIntosh, Nowata, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Payne, Pushmataha, Rogers, Seminole, Stephens, Tillman, Wagoner, Woods, and Woodward.

OK07-4, July 10 SH 82 Landslide - $5,690,000

Excessive rainfall on July 10, 2007 resulted in a saturated embankment leading to a landslide that damaged State Highway 82. Latimer County was affected by this event.

OK07-5, August 18, 2007 Tropical Storm Erin - $6,188,889

On August 18, 2007, Tropical Storm Erin produced rainfall and flooding that caused damages to Federal-aid highways. Typical damages included: flood-damaged or destroyed roadway embankments and surfaces; drainage structure damage; bridge damage; and timber debris on roadways, ditches, drainage structures, and bridges. The following counties were affected by this event: Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Craig, Grady, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Pottawatomie, Stephens, and Washington.

OK08-1, December 8, 2007 Ice Storm - $10,425,000

A December 8, 2007 Ice Storm caused damages to Federal-aid highways. The primary damages resulting from this event was extensive fallen timber debris deposited on the highway. The following counties were affected by this event: Caddo, Cleveland, Creek, Grady, Lincoln, Mayes, Nowata, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Osage, Payne, Rogers, Tulsa, Wagoner, and Washington.

OK08-2, April 9, 2008 Storms - $6,112,211

Severe storms beginning on April 9, 2008, caused damages to Federal-aid highways. The State requested Emergency Relief assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures on Federal-aid highways in Rogers County. State Highway (SH) 20 was severely damaged by a landslide at Keetonville Hill about 0.9 miles west of the Verdigris River resulting in the closure of SH 20.

OK08-4, June 2008 Heavy Rains - $946,510

Heavy rains from June 3 - 20, 2008 caused damages to Federal-aid highways. Typical damages included flood damaged roadway embankments and surfaces, drainage structures, and bridges. Timber debris from the storm was deposited on roadways, bridges, and in ditches and drainage structures. The following counties were affected by this event: Caddo, Garfield, Grant, Kay, Nowata, Okfuskee, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Rogers, and Roger Mills.

In the News...Enid News: Senator Sees Off Guard

Senator Sees Off Guard

By Robert Barron, Staff Writer

Ft. HOOD, TEXAS - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe helped see off 389 Army National Guard members leaving Fort Hood, Texas, Wednesday. The group is bound for service in Kuwait.

"I visited with each one of the members. They are well-trained and will spend nine months over there taking on some pretty risky missions, and they are prepared to do it. They are excited and ready to go," he said by telephone.

Inhofe, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Kuwait has very good resources, and people who have been there say they are well cared for and it is a good place to be.

"Their attitude couldn't be better. I was able to spend time with each one. They are taking a four-day leave and then off they go," he said.

Inhofe said questions about how long U.S. troops will remain in Iraq cannot be answered properly because the U.S. has military presence all over the world. There still are U.S. troops in Bosnia and Kosovo. Iraqi troops have taken over security in 12 of the 18 provinces in Iraq, he said. When the other six are turned over, the U.S. will still have a presence there. However, Iraq will be performing its own security. Inhofe said IED attacks are down 80 percent. He said the bigger problem today is in Afghanistan.

Inhofe said he is proud of these troops. As a product of the military draft, Inhofe said he never thought the U.S. would have an all-volunteer military as successful as it is.

"It makes you feel very proud," he said.

Inhofe said groups from both Oklahoma and Hawaii were there ready to go. U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka of Hawaii also is in Fort Hood with his troops. Inhofe said he and Akaka formed the Army caucus in the Senate and are good friends.

Answering a question about the current U.S. Senate campaign, Inhofe said he is confident he will be successful.

"The race is between the two most divergent philosophies. I am the most conservative member in the Senate and Mr. Rice would be one of the most liberal, especially in terms of abortion and some other social issues. He would be more comfortable running from Vermont or California," he said.

In the News...Lawton Constitution: Local families relish short respite with Guardsmen

Local families relish short respite with Guardsmen

B Y MITCH MEADOR
STAFF WRITER

Any day that soldiers come home is a good day. Even if it's only four days before they have to go back.

Families and friends of Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen serving in the 45th Fires Brigade jammed the parking lot of the McMahon Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, waiting for busloads of citizen soldiers to arrive from Fort Hood, Texas.

The soldiers have completed their mobilization training prior to deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, where their mission will primarily consist of providing base and convoy security. Now they're on a fourday pass before they have to board buses on Sunday afternoon to make the return trip to their mobilization station.

Two members of American Legion Post 193 of Lawton arrived early to greet them. American Legion of Oklahoma sponsored the buses that brought the 45th Fires Brigade home, just as it did for the 45th Infantry Brigade when those soldiers came home from Fort Bliss, Texas, last Christmas, according to Art Besa, department vice commander for the west side of the state, and Ken Metcalf, district executive committeeman.

"We're also going to provide box lunches on Sunday to take with them," Besa added. "We did that last time at Christmas."

Three weeks ago, KFORTV in Oklahoma City sponsored a telethon that raised $38,000 to bring the 45th Fires Brigade home, said Besa. In addition, Love's Country Store provided the fuel for the trip.

"Everybody's doing it as a team. It's an awesome deal, and I think these guys deserve it," said Sherri Blasengame, who chairs the Family Readiness Group for Headquarters and Alpha Batteries, 1st Battalion, 158th Field Artillery.

In the truck parked next to Besa and Metcalf, Raymond Morrison was riding shotgun for his son, Tommy Morrison. They drove over from Milburn to meet Raymond's oldest son, 21-year-old Pfc. Raymond Morrison Jr.

The soldier got a jump-start on life by getting a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) when he was 16. He selected infantry as his branch and went through basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., before being assigned to Bravo Battery, 1-158th FA, according to his brother. The soldier just got a promotion to E-3 a couple of weeks ago.

"We're from Johnston County. We've got a ranch down there with a bunch of cows and stuff. He's just a good ol' redneck country boy, and he wanted to sign up, and so he asked me what I thought about it, and I said, 'Make me proud,'" Raymond Morrison said.

"In my opinion, the only thing more honorable than serving your country is dying for your country," he said, though he was quick to tell his son that he didn't have to honor him to that extent.

"The country may be going to hell in a handbasket, but I believe the American people have what it takes to pull us out of it. I still believe in this country, no matter what she's been through.

"I am against pulling out before we get done. I don't want another Vietnam. We need to finish what we started. I don't believe we need to go back over there again. A lot of people have forgotten about 9/11. They need to remember," said Raymond
Morrison.

Carol Murry of Cyril greeted her husband with a hug when he stepped off the bus. Maj. Wade Murry is part of the battalion staff for Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1-158 FA. They couple is originally from Alva but have moved to Cyril, where they bought a farm and plan to retire.

The buses arrived at 5 p.m., and Carol Murry said she had been waiting for them since 3 p.m. She said her husband doesn't know it, but his family has a surprise party planned for him in Oklahoma City on Saturday. Their son, daughter, four granddaughters and one great-grandchild will all be on hand to celebrate this brief respite before he has to get on another bus at 2 p.m. Sunday.

One of those in attendance at Wednesday's departure ceremony for soldiers of the 45th Fires Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas, was U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Approximately 730 Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen who serve in the brigade are expected to deploy to Iraq and Kuwait after Nov. 1. They will likely be in theater for about nine months. Troops will be performing base and convoy security duties, mostly around central Iraq. The deployment of these soldiers will bring Oklahoma National Guard's commitment in Iraq to about 1,500 troops from various components of the Guard.

"Today, as we stand with several of Oklahoma's finest as they prepare to leave for Iraq, we show our appreciation and gratitude for their service and pray for their safety as we continue to fight the War on Terror," Inhofe said.

"We recognize not only their commitment to our nation, but the sacrifice and commitment of their loved ones. Oklahoma currently stands as one of the greatest contributors of mobilized Guardsmen in the War on Terrorism. Oklahomans can take pride in the quality and dedication of our citizen-soldiers.

"I was honored to have the opportunity (Wednesday) to visit with the Guardsmen and women from Enid, Altus, Lawton, Chickasha, Elk City and many more communities across our state," Inhofe said.

"As they leave in the upcoming weeks, they will know they have the full support of their fellow Oklahomans and Americans. We could not be more proud of these men and women in uniform and stand humbled by the sacrifices made by them and their loved ones."

In the News....Tulsa World: State gets funds for storm-damaged roads

Tulsa World

State gets funds for storm-damaged roads

Oklahoma will receive $36 million in emergency relief funds to pay for road repairs after major storms over the last two years, officials said Thursday.

"Communities across Oklahoma will greatly benefit from this much-needed funding," said U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla. "This funding will be used for repairs or reconstruction of federal-aid highways and roads on federal lands that have suffered serious damage as a result of natural disasters or catastrophic failures."

Oklahoma's funding was part of an announcement that U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters made during a visit to Texas. Peters said $679 million will be available to states across the nation.

"When natural disasters strike, restoring transportation is the first stop on the road to recovery," she said. "Our goal is to get communities moving again."

Peters' announcement covers several weather-related events and the resulting damage in Oklahoma, including flooding, a landslide, Tropical Storm Erin in 2007 and an ice storm and heavy rains in 2008.

Tulsa County was affected by the December ice storm.

The emergency funding will go to 28 states and Puerto Rico, which can use the money to reimburse previous spending.

In the News...Oklahoman: Officials Celebrate Tinkers Plant Lease

Officials Celebrate Tinkers Plant Lease

BY BRYAN DEAN

Published: October 24, 2008

The abandoned General Motors plant in south Oklahoma City , which once symbolized a declining manufacturing industry in the area, turned into something else ThursdaWith Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley looking on, government leaders and Tinker Air Force Base officials dubbed the plant the Tinker Aerospace Complex.

Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa , Rep. Mary Fallin, R-Oklahoma City, and military brass were on hand for a ceremony celebrating the lease of the abandoned GM plant to Tinker.

Oklahoma County voters approved a $55 million bond issue in May that allowed the county to buy the plant from GM.

Donley said the deal between Oklahoma County, the state and the military could signal a new way for different levels of government to work together.

Ensuring Tinker stays

Inhofe said the aerospace complex will ensure Tinker's survival, should future base closures target air logistics centers.

Two of the Air Force's five air logistic centers were closed in the 1995 round of base realignments. The other two remaining centers are in Georgia> and Ohio.

"They are emulating us," Inhofe said.

"We are down to three now. If we were ever down to one, it would be right here at Tinker."

Oklahoman Op-Ed: Conversion of plant will mean good news

Conversion of plant will mean good news
POINT OF VIEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

BY RAY VAUGHN
Published: October 25, 2008

Central Oklahoma's largest economic engine began its most significant tune-up in history on Thursday. It was the day Tinker Air Force Base officially started converting the former General Motors plant in south Oklahoma City into the Tinker Aerospace Complex.

Tinker's transfer of operations to the idle plant will greatly improve base efficiency, save energy, bring jobs and improve working conditions for military and civilian employees alike. In fact, the consolidation of the work under one roof will enable Tinker to eliminate use of 69 out-of-date buildings. It's the equivalent of converting a single-engine biplane into a stealth bomber.

Oklahoma County citizens are the mechanics who made this transformation possible. On May 13, the voters approved a $55 million bond issue to buy the GM facility, closed since 2006, and to provide it to Tinker. The positive vote preserves and protects Oklahoma's largest single-site employer and positions it for aggressive future growth, and at a fraction of the cost to construct a new facility to achieve the same goals.
After approval of the bond issue, a dynamic crew of individuals from all over the nation went to work preparing the facility for its overhaul.
Through the efforts of U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and numerous other chambers of commerce, the state of Oklahoma, Air Force officials, and Oklahoma County officials and staff, Tinker took possession of the plant and marked the ceremonial transfer just four months after the bond passage.

However, the race to strengthen Tinker in its mission of supporting America's servicemen and women is just now taking flight. Over the next few years, Tinker will invest up to $100 million in the aerospace complex as it moves operations to the facility. Meanwhile, Tinker, area chambers of commerce, the state and Oklahoma County are working to attract thousands of jobs through expanded missions and partnerships with private military contractors, who will occupy portions of the complex unused by Tinker.

As the once-idle plant once again rolls into action with the roar of engines and buzz of activity, I congratulate and thank all of the citizens of Oklahoma County and the state for securing the long-term economic growth for this region. A stronger Tinker and new jobs will help ensure economic stability in these uncertain times. So good job, Oklahoma, let's keep Tinker flying high.
Vaughn is Oklahoma County commissioner for District 3.