Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Inhofe
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, praised the advancement of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act out of committee and announced provisions that will directly benefit Oklahoma installations and communities. The legislation was advanced by a vote of 23-3.
“Today, the Senate Armed Services Committee was able to work in a bipartisan fashion to report the National Defense Authorization Act out of committee for another year—my last in the Senate,” Inhofe said. “I have worked my entire congressional career to provide for our nation’s military and this year’s Senate defense bill reflects that. I am especially proud of what we secured for Oklahoma’s service members and their families.”
“Working with Oklahoma communities, I have consistently prioritized Oklahoma’s military installations for the 30 NDAAs I’ve had a hand in writing and this year is no different. This year’s NDAA contains numerous provisions to ensure the men and women who serve in the military have the equipment and the training to support and defend our nation for years to come. In addition to including my amendment that will boost the defense budget to meet the needs of our national defense, this bill will provide critical funding for Oklahoma’s military installations to continue their missions. I also fought to ensure specific language was added so the Air Force does not divest E-3s from Tinker without first having an acquisition strategy to field new E-7 aircraft at Tinker. I look forward to working with members in the House and Senate to shepherd the Committee-reported bill through the legislative process—solidifying these wins for Oklahoma and the nation.”
In honor of Inhofe’s 27 years of service to the Senate Armed Services Committee, the committee voted unanimously to name this year’s bill the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2023.
A summary of the key provisions for Oklahoma are outlined below:
Boosting the Defense Budget – a 4.6 Percent Real Increase Over the Biden Administration Budget
For the second year in a row, the committee almost unanimously voted to approve Inhofe’s amendment that would boost the defense budget. The amendment increased the national defense topline by $45 billion, including $20 billion to alleviate the effects of inflation and $25 billion to advance implementation of the National Defense Strategy.
The bipartisan National Defense Strategy Commission report urged Congress to grow military spending by at least three to five percent each year. Knowing this, Inhofe has been advocating for months for a defense budget that is sufficient and allows us to deter Russia and China.
Tinker Air Force Base and the Oklahoma City Community
Within Inhofe’s FY23 NDAA, the KC-46 and the B-21 missions are ensured funding and the Air Force’s Sustainment Center at Tinker will be kept operational for years to come. Thanks to Inhofe’s efforts, this year’s NDAA authorizes full funding for the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Technology Center Facility, as well as land acquisition. The bill also includes additional funding for the Air Force Reserve 10th Flight Test Squadron Facility.
Inhofe included funding for a KC-46 1-Bay Depot Corrosion Control Hangar and a KC-46 Bay Program Depot Maintenance Hangar. The KC-46 Bay Maintenance Depot and KC-46 Fuel Petroleum, Oils and Lubricants infrastructure were also fully funded.
Inhofe included specified language in order to prevent the divestment of all of Tinker’s E-3 aircrafts until the Air Force develops an acquisition strategy to field new E-7 aircrafts, the E-3’s upgraded replacement. In addition, the bill includes additional funding to accelerate the Air Force’s acquisition, in order to continue the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) mission. Inhofe also included funding for an E-7 Operations Center to ensure the AWACS’ mission remains at Tinker Air Force Base.
“Senator Inhofe continues his overwhelming support for Tinker Air Force Base and the Oklahoma City community with the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act,” said Roy Williams, President & CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. “Thanks to Senator Inhofe’s provisions, the airmen and residents of Tinker will continue their sustainment of multiple weapon systems like the KC-46 and B-21. Additionally, Senator Inhofe has fought hard to keep the E-3 and future missions at Tinker Air Force Base. Funding for developing our workforce, air platforms, and technological capabilities at the Air Force Sustainment Center and the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex will also foster job growth with our Oklahoma industry partners. Growing the Air Force’s premier depot maintenance base is only possible with incredible advocacy from Senator Inhofe. We are thankful for the Senator’s continued support, throughout his time in office, of our defense community and mission.”
Fort Sill and the Lawton Community
Fort Sill continues to be a leader in modernization for the Army as the home of Air Defense Artillery, Field Artillery and Counter-UAS for the Department of Defense (DoD). Truly tying the community to the base, the Lawton community established the Fires Innovation Science & Technology Accelerator (FISTA) to bring in private industry and educational leaders to facilitate DoD modernization efforts. Inhofe’s provisions ensures some of the highest priority technology innovations in DoD happen in Lawton and are developed in the FISTA.
“As cyber and electronic warfare threats grow; our Army and its weapon systems will need increased protection. The work Sen. Inhofe secured will allow for the development of protection capabilities for the DoD and our Army,” said Mike Brown, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army. “The city has done a lot to get the FISTA up and running and our community is excited about taking on the Army’s future missions like C-UAS and leading in Long Range Precision Fire.”
Supporting Oklahoma’s Defense Industry Now and into the Future
In Inhofe’s final NDAA, he included funding for a number of key projects to ensure Oklahoma’s defense industry will continue to grow and support our national security for years to come. With the ability to move forward with these projects, Oklahoma companies will be better poised to build upon current investments, incorporate new ones and foster relationships between industry, our communities and the DoD. Oklahoma’s defense industry is positioned to continue to be an integral player in key technologies such as unmanned aviation, advanced logistics and artificial intelligence.
“Senator Inhofe has always understood the close relationship necessary to keep our military the best in the world,” said Rusty Appleton, CEO of Oklahoma Defense Industry Association. “His support for Oklahoma’s defense industry in this year’s NDAA reinforces the relationships we have with the Armed Services and will encourage more companies to view Oklahoma as the premier state for defense work.”
University of Oklahoma (OU), Oklahoma State University (OSU) and The University of Tulsa (TU)
Inhofe continued to support OU’s work in radar research in this year’s NDAA. Inhofe included funding for an OU-industry partnership to begin work on autonomous unmanned vehicle and radar research. This funding will continue to build out OU’s Aerospace and Defense program and attract more top students to the state.
He also authored provisions to advance our universities’ work for the DoD, such as applied drone research at OSU’s Counter-UAS Center of Excellence and The University of Tulsa’s development of cybersecurity capabilities and strategic technical workforce development.
“We at Oklahoma State University are proud to once again have Senator Inhofe’s support in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act,” said Dr. Kenneth Sewell, Oklahoma State University Vice President of Research and President of OSU’s Research Foundation. “Senator Inhofe’s work on the FY23 NDAA has allowed OSU to build upon our years of educational research and development of counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS). Senator Inhofe recognizes the impact C-UAS have on our national security, and OSU is excited to continue contributing to this critical field.”
“The University of Oklahoma is thankful for Ranking Member Inhofe’s initiatives in this year’s NDAA that support important research and development that keeps our nation’s military ahead of our adversaries,” said Dr. Tomás Diaz de la Rubia, University of Oklahoma’s Vice President for Research and Partnerships. “OU is pleased to continue partnering with the private sector and Tinker Air Force Base to develop advanced materials and integrate AI and big data technologies for cost savings for the Air Force. We also thank the Senator for securing funding that will help OU make advancements in radio frequency sensors and continued advances in the state’s autonomous vehicle research in support of the armed forces. OU is proud to continue engaging in partnerships with academic and industry groups to keep our nation’s military strong.”
“The University of Tulsa’s partnership with the U.S. military continues to strengthen thanks to Senator Inhofe’s hard work during his final NDAA,” said Brad Carson, University of Tulsa’s President. “Senator Inhofe continues to recognize the growing cybersecurity threat to our national security. TU’s research programs ensure a strategic technical workforce and capabilities are developed to protect our national security.”