Rep. Cole Announces Funding for Defense Projects in Oklahoma

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole announced today that the FY07 Defense Appropriations bill includes $7 million for projects in Oklahoma's Fourth Congressional District. The FY07 Defense Appropriations was approved by the Appropriations Committee this week and now awaits floor action. Congressman Cole requested that these funds be included in the legislation.

"These projects are not only beneficial to the overall effectiveness and capability of the military, but are important to our bases in Oklahoma. I am very pleased that this funding was included in the bill that was approved by the full Appropriations Committee. I will be working to ensure the funds will be included in final bill approved by the House," Congressman Tom Cole said.

Congressman Tom Cole will be using his position on the powerful Rules Committee to protect these provisions on the floor. He will be managing the debate on the rule for this bill when it reaches the floor. A rule, which sets the terms of debate on the floor, must be passed before the actual piece of legislation is debatable.

Congressman Cole was able to secure $3.5 million for the Joint Fires and Effects Trainer System at Fort Sill and $1.5 million for enhanced command and control abilities to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System. This project will allow the Target Acquisition and sensor systems to communicate directly with the launcher to attack high payoff targets for the commanders, reducing the engagement cycle.

Congressman Cole secured $2 million for a project at Tinker Air Force base to make reliability improvements to existing molecular sieve oxygen generation system (MSOGS) on the B-1B aircraft. This system is essential during extended long-range intercontinental combat missions. These upgrades could extend the life of the oxygen generation system to very near the projected life of the B-1B aircraft.

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