Inhofe: 'Many good things' in defense act
BY RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer
Saturday, December 22, 2012
12/22/12 at 5:09 AM
The National Defense Authorization Act passed Friday by the U.S. Senate will fit nicely in Oklahoma's Christmas stocking, judging from a report by U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe.
Inhofe, expected to be the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee in the coming session, said the bill "contains many good things" for Oklahoma, including $25 million for a training complex at Camp Gruber.
The act also includes provisions Inhofe said will benefit the University of Tulsa's Institute for Information Security, which has become an important security analyst for the military.
The bill also includes provisions related to research and procurement for the Paladin Integrated Module, a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer that is produced in Elgin; production and modernization of the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System at Fort Sill; and introduction of the RC-26B intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to the Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City.
"Bringing the RC-26B aircraft and mission to Oklahoma and the Oklahoma National Guard is a win for Oklahoma and the nation," Inhofe said.
"Bringing the unit together at Will Rogers will enhance operations, reduce costs and provide the capability to rapidly support operations in Asia, the Middle East, or anywhere in the world."
The RC-26B Condor has been supporting operations in U.S. Central Command's area of operations continuously for more than five years. The 11 aircraft being brought to Oklahoma City are now based in as many different states.
The National Defense Authorization Act authorizes $25 million in supplemental Impact Aid to local education agencies with military dependent children and includes additional authorization for schools with military children with severe disabilities.
The money primarily benefits districts in and near Lawton, Oklahoma City, Enid and Altus.
Inhofe also managed to delay cancellation of a C-130 modernization program that employs several hundred civilians in Oklahoma City.
Randy Krehbiel 918-581-8365
randy.krehbiel@tulsaworld.com
