JANNA HELMICK ~ ALLEGIANCE REALTY LLC

An Overview of the Community

Fort Sil    Demographics   Government    A Quick Look

Today, Lawton has grown to be the third-largest metropolitan statistical area in the state. Lawton serves as a prominent shopping, medical, recreational, educational and religious center for the region. It is the retail and distribution center for the area’s cattle, dairy and agricultural industries. In addition, Lawton-Fort Sill is the home of manufacturing and processing companies, and is continually working toward the expansion of existing industries and acquisition of new ones.

Fort Sill

Located just north of the city of Lawton, Fort Sill is composed of about 94,000 acres or 145 square miles of mountains, rolling hills and prairie. Fort Sill’s total economic impact is $1.3 billion annually. It is home to a military population of about 16,000; the civilian workforce totals about 6,000. Approximately 26,000 family members live on post or in the surrounding communities. Within 100 miles of Fort Sill there are approximately10,000 military retirees.

Fort Sill has been designated as the United States Army Fires Center of Excellence and, as such, is home to the Field Artillery School, Army Training Center, Noncommissioned Officers Academy, two Army Fires Brigades and many tenant activities. As the Fires Center of Excellence Fort Sill is also preparing to accept components of the Air Defense Artillery for Fort Bliss as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process of 2005. From now until 2011 the post will absorb those activities associated with the ADA, to include the ADA School, support elements and museum assets.

Fort Sill’s mission is to sustain current and future force readiness by training Field Artillery Soldiers and Marines as an essential element of the joint and combined arms team. This is accomplished by developing cutting-edge fire support doctrine, training methods and equipment, and by sustaining the readiness and power projection capabilities of tenant and mobilizing forces. This is accomplished through the efforts of the leaders in the Field Artillery Training Center, the Field Artillery School, the Non-commissioned Officers Academy, and the Garrison Staff.

Fort Sill’s two Fire Brigades are part of the United States Army Forces Command and continue their mission of maintaining readiness to fight our nation’s wars. The 75th Fires Brigade and the 214th Fires Brigades are organized into eight battalions and other smaller elements. They have deployed many of their soldiers in support of the Global War on Terrorism and many remain deployed today. Another war fighting unit, the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, is projected to move to Fort Sill from Fort Bliss in FY 2008 with a brigade headquarters and an ADA battalion. A second battalion is expected to arrive the following year.

Also of great concern to the leaders of Fort Sill is maintaining an excellent community quality of life. Among its many facilities, Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area (LETRA) is the crown jewel and is open to the general public. LETRA is Fort Sill’s premier lakeside recreation area nestled in the picturesque Wichita Mountains of southwestern Oklahoma. Some of the area attractions include a beach, snack bar, double-flume waterslide and picnic areas.

The post also boasts a bowling alley, commissary, post exchange facilities, youth center, club system, as well as many other activities that make Fort Sill a great place to live and work.

Altogether these changes are expected to increase Fort Sill’s military population by almost 3,000 soldiers. Adding to them are the expected increases in military students, family members and civilian employees. Fort Sill stands to see an increase of about 10,000 people between 2005 and 2011.

Demographics

in the Oklahoma State Legislature. On the national level, Oklahoma is represented by two senators and five congressmen in Washington, D.C.

A Quick Look