Senate leadership responds to criticism of foreign troops training in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate leadership today released the following statement after a resolution was filed that attempts to ban all foreign troops from training on Oklahoma military installations. 

Senate Concurrent Resolution 2 directs the Pentagon, Department of Defense, and the federal government to no longer send foreign troops to Oklahoma for training, despite the state’s military installations having a rich history of training programs with different countries.

The following statement can be attributed to the following: Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City; Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada; Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah; Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton; Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City; Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond and Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City 

“Oklahoma has had partnerships with military forces from partner countries to train and maintain the safety and security of the United States and other allied countries for decades. To cut these ties would be akin to jeopardizing our national security. The resolution that was issued does not speak for the vast majority of the Oklahoma Senate, or Oklahomans, who welcome training exercises to defend the lands we love and our neighbors in other countries. We hope the troops from other countries currently training on our beloved military installations in Oklahoma feel welcomed and experience what makes our state the best in the country.” 

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Pro Tem's Office: (405) 521-5780 or Alex.Gerszewski@oksenate.gov
Sen. McCortney: (405) 521-5541 or Greg.McCortney@oksenate.gov
Sen. Thompson: (405) 521-5588 or Roger.Thompson@oksenate.gov
Sen. Montgomery: (405) 521-5567 or John.Montgomery@oksenate.gov
Sen. Stanley: (405) 521-5584 or Brenda.Stanley@oksenate.gov
Sen. Pugh: (405) 521-5622 or Adam.Pugh@oksenate.gov
Sen. Rosino: (405) 521-5618 or Paul.Rosino@oksenate.gov