Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Tulsa World
January 6, 2008
Pg. 17
Oklahoma ranks third in the country in National Guard and Reserve activations.
By Jim Myers, World Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON -- Oklahoma entered the new year as one of the top states in the number of its military troops mobilized, according to new figures released by the Department of Defense.
The figures show that Oklahoma has 3,368 members of the National Guard and Reserves on federal status. That puts the state third, after Indiana's 4,515 and California's 3,914.
Eight Guard and Reserve units in Tulsa, eight in Broken Arrow and one in Sapulpa were among those listed in the announcement.
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, a veteran member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, cited the planned deployment this year of members of the 45th Infantry Brigade to Iraq.
"Our Oklahoma Army National Guard and Army Reserve units are some of the best trained and equipped in the nation," said Inhofe, R-Okla. "As a brigade of 2,613 Oklahoma National Guardsmen prepares to deploy to Iraq this month, Oklahoma currently stands as one of the greatest contributors of mobilized reservists and Guardsmen to the war on terrorism."
Inhofe said the 45th Infantry Brigade's continued high level of readiness following its earlier deployment to Afghanistan and its high recruiting and retention rates have earned it a reputation as being one of the most capable brigades in the country and well suited for its mission.
Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, noted that the state ranks high despite its size.
"We may not be the largest state in population, but per capita there are few who have given more to their country than Oklahomans," Boren said.
"There is a very long and proud tradition of heroism amongst our National Guard and reservists from the state of Oklahoma. These men and women continue to conduct their missions with diligence and honor."
Boren also cited $2.7 million he secured for improvements at Camp Gruber, where members of the 45th are trained.
Lt. Col. John Altebaumer, deputy director of public affairs for the Oklahoma National Guard, said the deployment of the 45th Infantry Brigade boosted the state's numbers.
"When the nation needs us, that is what we will respond to," Altebaumer said. "That's what we are there for."
Even with the numbers being deployed currently from the state, Altebaumer said the Oklahoma National Guard will be able to meet local needs.
"We make sure we can still respond to state emergencies," he said.
Oklahoma is bucking a national trend, Pentagon figures show. A decrease in the number of troops on federal status was announced by the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. Only the Marine Corps had an increase.
Explaining that those figures change on a regular basis, the Defense Department said that 90,252 National Guard and Reserve personnel are mobilized.
Top states for troop mobilization
Indiana: 4,515; California: 3,914; Oklahoma: 3,368; Texas: 3,206; Virginia: 2,966; Maryland: 2,524; South Carolina: 2,413; Puerto Rico: 2,334; Pennsylvania: 2,222; Missouri: 2,089; Alabama: 2,016
Source: Department of Defense
January 6, 2008
Pg. 17
Oklahoma ranks third in the country in National Guard and Reserve activations.
By Jim Myers, World Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON -- Oklahoma entered the new year as one of the top states in the number of its military troops mobilized, according to new figures released by the Department of Defense.
The figures show that Oklahoma has 3,368 members of the National Guard and Reserves on federal status. That puts the state third, after Indiana's 4,515 and California's 3,914.
Eight Guard and Reserve units in Tulsa, eight in Broken Arrow and one in Sapulpa were among those listed in the announcement.
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, a veteran member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, cited the planned deployment this year of members of the 45th Infantry Brigade to Iraq.
"Our Oklahoma Army National Guard and Army Reserve units are some of the best trained and equipped in the nation," said Inhofe, R-Okla. "As a brigade of 2,613 Oklahoma National Guardsmen prepares to deploy to Iraq this month, Oklahoma currently stands as one of the greatest contributors of mobilized reservists and Guardsmen to the war on terrorism."
Inhofe said the 45th Infantry Brigade's continued high level of readiness following its earlier deployment to Afghanistan and its high recruiting and retention rates have earned it a reputation as being one of the most capable brigades in the country and well suited for its mission.
Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, noted that the state ranks high despite its size.
"We may not be the largest state in population, but per capita there are few who have given more to their country than Oklahomans," Boren said.
"There is a very long and proud tradition of heroism amongst our National Guard and reservists from the state of Oklahoma. These men and women continue to conduct their missions with diligence and honor."
Boren also cited $2.7 million he secured for improvements at Camp Gruber, where members of the 45th are trained.
Lt. Col. John Altebaumer, deputy director of public affairs for the Oklahoma National Guard, said the deployment of the 45th Infantry Brigade boosted the state's numbers.
"When the nation needs us, that is what we will respond to," Altebaumer said. "That's what we are there for."
Even with the numbers being deployed currently from the state, Altebaumer said the Oklahoma National Guard will be able to meet local needs.
"We make sure we can still respond to state emergencies," he said.
Oklahoma is bucking a national trend, Pentagon figures show. A decrease in the number of troops on federal status was announced by the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. Only the Marine Corps had an increase.
Explaining that those figures change on a regular basis, the Defense Department said that 90,252 National Guard and Reserve personnel are mobilized.
Top states for troop mobilization
Indiana: 4,515; California: 3,914; Oklahoma: 3,368; Texas: 3,206; Virginia: 2,966; Maryland: 2,524; South Carolina: 2,413; Puerto Rico: 2,334; Pennsylvania: 2,222; Missouri: 2,089; Alabama: 2,016
Source: Department of Defense