Frank supports a strong and fully capable U.S. military. Oklahoma’s Third District plays a critical role supporting America’s military. From Altus Air Force Base to Vance Air Force Base, Frank will always fight to make sure our District leads the nation in supporting the global superiority of our Air Force.
I will support a strong and fully capable U.S. military and fight to keep Altus and Vance Air Force Bases central to national defense.
Occurrences
commitment to keeping military bases in Oklahoma open
I remain fully committed to providing our military installations the resources they need to attract new missions and keep Oklahoma at the forefront of our national defense. I will continue to work diligently to ensure that our government focuses on strengthening our national defense, provides the necessary resources to our Armed Forces, and provides Americans with freedom and security at home and throughout the world.
Evidence
Congressman Lucas states that Congress must remain committed to rebuilding military readiness and capabilities to address threats from adversaries such as China and Russia.
Lucas said he was heartbroken by tornado damage around Vance Air Force Base in Enid and that his office was available to support those affected.
The table lists an Oklahoma project for Vance Air Force Base: 'Undergraduate Pilot Training Center: Planning and Design' with '8,400,000' requested by 'Lucas' and 'Mullin'.
The committee said the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act invests in restoring deterrence and building the ready, capable, and lethal fighting force required to confront threats, including a 3.8% pay increase for military personnel effective January 1, 2026.
The summary highlights major FY26 defense investments including procurement, RDT&E, munitions, and a stated goal of maintaining a ready, capable, and lethal force.
Vance states it is the fourth busiest airfield in the Air Force and operates roughly 200 T-1, T-6, and T-38 aircraft flying over 50,000 sorties and 74,000 hours every year.
Altus Air Force Base is described as the premier air mobility training location in the U.S. Air Force.
The article notes senior leaders met with Vance Airmen at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., on April 15, 2026.
Assessments
The promise combines two parts: supporting a strong U.S. military and fighting to keep Altus and Vance Air Force Bases central to national defense. Evidence supports partial fulfillment on both fronts but not clear full delivery. On the broader military plank, Lucas publicly backed rebuilding military readiness, and House defense appropriations activity in FY26 aligns with stronger military funding. However, the evidence does not show that Lucas alone delivered those overall national-defense outcomes. On the base-specific plank, the strongest evidence is that Lucas requested $8.4 million for planning and design of an Undergraduate Pilot Training Center at Vance AFB, which is a concrete action to bolster the base’s defense role. That demonstrates meaningful effort and some advancement. But there is no clear evidence here that the requested project was enacted, nor comparable specific delivered action tied to Altus in the cited record. Separate evidence that Altus and Vance remain important installations shows ongoing status, but not that Lucas personally delivered that result. Because there is concrete advocacy and at least some tangible advancement, but not enough proof of completed delivery for the full promise, the best judgment is partial with an effort badge.