AFA Presents W. Symington Award to Sen. James Inhofe

Air & Space Forces Association Chairman Bernie Skoch presented the association’s highest civilian award Nov. 3 to the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.).

“It is AFA’s great honor to recognize the many years of Senator Inhofe’s dedicated service,” Skoch said. “At every step he’s been a selfless public servant with a clear passion for doing what’s right for Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coastguardsmen, and Guardians; for America’s defense; and for the Nation as a whole. I can think of no one more deserving of AFA’s prestigious W. Stuart Symington Award.”  

The W. Stuart Symington Award is named after the first Secretary of the Air Force and has been presented to two Presidents, among many other recipients.   

Senator Inhofe is also a recreational pilot and flying is his favorite thing to do. His love of aviation is one of the reasons why he has taken such a particular interest in Tinker Air Force Base and the Oklahoma Air Logistics Complex (OO-ALC) in his home state of Oklahoma. The largest single site employer in the state of Oklahoma, few issues occupy the Senator’s time as much as ensuring Tinker and OO-ALC are secure, vibrant, and attracting new missions. For example, when a large and enjoining GM plant closed, Senator Inhofe quick took reins of the situation and incorporated the vacant plant into Tinker’s infrastructure. The plant now employs thousands of people who are performing Air Force depot maintenance.   

Senator James M. Inhofe was first elected to the Senate in 1994. For the last 26 years he has been a Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, twice being the SASC’s Ranking Member and once being Chairman. He previously served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and as the Mayor of Tulsa, Okla. Before his entry into politics, he was a real estate developer.