The Oklahoma Air National Guard has announced the formation of a task force to help persuade the Air Force to station its new military fighter jets in Tulsa.
Within a decade, the military will begin phasing out the F 16 fighters that are currently based at the Tulsa Guard Air Base. The task force will lobby for the new F 35 Lightning II jets to be based here.
The task force is made up of guard, state and local officials. Among those on the task force are Lt-Governor Todd Lamb and Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett.
Mayor Bartlett says the air base at the Tulsa International Airport is owned by the city and leased to the guard through the Tulsa Airport Authority. The mayor says certain upgrades may be needed at the base, including a fuel delivery system.
There is no word on when the Air Force may make a placement decision.