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Representative Tom Cole logo

Defense, National Security & Foreign Affairs

Congress has no greater responsibility than to provide our military with the resources needed to confront the challenges to our national security. As a senior member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I am a champion for strong national defense, the fiscal discipline of the Department of Defense (DoD), and a foreign policy platform that prioritizes our country’s interests to maximize the safety of our freedoms. I will continue to support a robust military equipped to face a multi-domain operational future.

Congress is vital in ensuring the international community remains stable, led largely by the “power of the purse,” which funds our national defense and foreign assistance. As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have had the opportunity to see firsthand how foreign aid is used to support American values worldwide. On average, only about one percent of foreign aid is provided as direct budget support to foreign governments. Most assistance is given through expert technical advice, training, equipment, vaccines, food, educational resources, and applied research. Much of the work done by America and its citizens internationally is crucial to lifting developing countries from disease and poverty, promoting long-term development, and building meaningful relationships.

Aid that promotes global prosperity, democracy and the rule of law, economic growth, and humanitarian interests reflects American values and global leadership. Through the appropriations process, Congress ensures that funding to countries builds stability and counters international threats, such as terrorism, drugs, and infectious diseases. Approximately 1.3 percent of the federal budget is designated for foreign assistance from all federal sources.

National Guard and Reserves

The National Guard is critical to our National Defense Strategy. They serve as the first line of defense against threats to the homeland and provide essential emergency and disaster assistance. As a critical part of our national security architecture, the National Guard and Reserves offer operational flexibility, strategic depth, and domestic security. I will continue to support fair pay and benefits for our Servicemembers, their families, and retirees as they continue to commit themselves to protect our freedoms.

Strengthening Fort Sill

During my tenure in Congress, I am proud to state that we have brought 2,500 new Soldiers to Fort Sill, led to more than a billion dollars in new funding, and trained over a dozen different populations from our allied partners. Located in Lawton, Oklahoma, Fort Sill is home to the Fires Center of Excellence (FCoE), the world’s premier Field Artillery (FA) and Air Defense Artillery (ADA) training location. The FCoE trains approximately 9,000 servicemembers at any given time in basic combat, advanced individual training, and artillery skills. Additionally, Ft. Sill is home to the Army’s Air Missile Defense Cross-Functional Team (AMD CFT) which will accelerate surface-to-surface fires capability and capacity at all echelons to significantly increase the ranges and lethality of current and future fires systems. In conjunction with the new Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS), these efforts will standardize best practices, create C-UAS subject matter experts for joint training, and provide additional strategic options to the Joint and combatant commanders and accelerate the Army’s efforts to outpace strategic competitors. I will continue to support efforts to ensure the FCoE has the equipment, tools, and infrastructure necessary to carry our military into the future.

Learn more about Fort Sill at sill-www.army.mil.

Strengthening Tinker Air Force Base

Tinker Air Force Base is home to six major DoD, Air Force, and Navy units with critical national defense missions, including serving as the primary home for the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. Tinker is also Oklahoma’s largest single-site employer, with 17,000 civilian and 9,000 military employees and an economic impact of $4.55 billion to the state. Each year, Tinker awards roughly $1 billion in contracts to small Oklahoma-based businesses and almost three times that to companies in Oklahoma.

Home of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, it is the largest of three depot repair complexes in Air Force Materiel Command. It provides depot maintenance on the KC-46, KC-135, B-1B, B-52, and E-3 aircraft. Their expanded phased maintenance on the Navy E-6 aircraft, repair and overhaul of F100, F101, F108, F110, F117, F118, F119, F135, and TF33 engines for the Air Force, Navy, and foreign military sales is a critical asset. Work at Tinker also includes the development, sustainment, and testing of the operational flight program, military advances, and industrial technology.

As a nationwide leader in innovation, the cost savings and increased capacity at Tinker allow less downtime for important aircraft and weapons systems. Tinker is preeminent in its use of LEAN and Six Sigma Process Reform, which has dramatically increased the utilization of depot capabilities. During my tenure in Congress, I have worked with Tinker to ensure it has the resources needed to advance its depot maintenance process and adapt to the changing demands of the DoD.

Learn more about Tinker AFB at tinker.af.mil.