TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. —
Tinker Air Pressure Base leaders, service members, and aviation and aerospace trade representatives gathered on the State Capitol April 3 for AERO Oklahoma, an aviation, aerospace, and protection consciousness day.
The occasion acknowledges Oklahoma’s aviation, aerospace, and protection trade as a significant financial driver within the state. Members have been capable of unite as a cohesive voice and have interaction with state legislators and elected officers to focus on Oklahoma’s sturdy aviation legacy and its ongoing contributions to the worldwide aviation, aerospace, and protection sectors.
Tinker is one among Oklahoma’s largest aviation contributors, and is Oklahoma’s largest single-site employer, immediately using virtually 27,000 workers as of fiscal 12 months 2022 and creating virtually $6.5 billion in mixed financial influence to the neighborhood.
“AERO Oklahoma underscores Oklahoma’s pivotal position within the aviation and aerospace trade, not solely inside our state however on a worldwide scale,” remarked Col. Abby Ruscetta, 72nd Air Base Wing and Tinker Set up commander. “This annual occasion supplies us with a possibility to mirror on our outstanding developments in aviation and aerospace. From the early days of flight to right now’s state-of-the-art know-how, our trade has repeatedly pushed boundaries. Oklahoma has been a driving drive on this progress, boasting a wealthy historical past of innovation and achievement.”
Ruscetta additionally spoke about Nice Energy Competitors and Tinker’s unwavering concentrate on sustaining the Air Pressure to make sure readiness and investing within the capabilities important for deterring aggression and guaranteeing victory in opposition to peer adversaries.
“Our work transcends mere contractual obligations; it’s a solemn dedication to safeguarding freedom, propelling technological development, and guaranteeing the safety of our nation,” mentioned Brig. Gen. Brian Moore, Oklahoma Metropolis Air Logistics Complicated Commander.
Moore spoke on the Aerospace Commerce Financial Companies Luncheon, a key a part of AERO Oklahoma. The ACES Program, established by the Oklahoma Division of Commerce in partnership with the Division of Aerospace and Aeronautics, goals to spice up the state’s aerospace trade by way of a unified technique, consulting providers, DoD contracts, job creation, technical help, and enterprise competitiveness. ACES coordinates efforts to strengthen Oklahoma’s place in aerospace.
The Oklahoma Aviation and Aerospace Trade performs a big position within the state’s economic system, producing practically $44 billion in annual financial exercise and positioning itself because the second largest financial engine in Oklahoma.
Col. Lena Freienmuth, particular person mobilization augmentee to the Commander of the 76th Propulsion Upkeep Group, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “Getting to fulfill all of the completely different distributors and trade companions and witnessing the immense assist for aviation in Oklahoma is the spotlight of AERO Oklahoma.”
Members from throughout the bottom additionally had a possibility to expertise the occasion.
Senior Airman Alejandro Avila, 552nd Plane Upkeep Squadron plane gasoline techniques journeyman, shared his expertise, “The chance to step away from our each day operations and study Oklahoma’s influence on the aerospace and aviation trade was the spotlight of Aero Oklahoma.”
