Senator Rosino Celebrates Oklahoma Aviation, Aerospace Day

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, today marked Oklahoma Aviation and Aerospace Day by celebrating the booming industry that is the state’s second-largest economic driver.

Rosino said the aerospace and defense sector is Oklahoma’s fastest-growing industry, contributing more than $44 billion annually to the state’s economy. The industry also supports more than 120,000 direct, high-paying jobs, as well as many more in related and ancillary fields.

“Oklahoma is a national powerhouse when it comes to aerospace, aviation and defense, and today is a reminder of just how far this industry has come,” Rosino said. “Oklahomans have so much to be proud of as they think about our world-class military installations, state-of-the-art maintenance and repair facilities and the innovative companies that keep this industry growing. Of course, none of this would be possible without the skilled workforce that has helped make our state an undisputed leader in this field.”

A veteran of the U.S. Navy whose 25 years of service included 10 years stationed at Tinker Air Force Base, Rosino has long been a leading advocate for Oklahoma’s aerospace and defense industry.

“As we celebrate this Oklahoma Aviation and Aerospace Day, I invite everyone to recognize the pilots, engineers, aerospace workers, military personnel and visionaries who have made this sector an integral part of our state,” Rosino added. “Today, we celebrate their hard work and contributions to boosting Oklahoma’s economy and improving our national defense.”

Senate Bill 47, passed in 2017, formally established Aug. 19 as Oklahoma Aviation and Aerospace Day.