OSHKOSH – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth toured Oshkosh Corp. Aug. 24 as part of an "Arsenal of Freedom" tour, which celebrates U.S. military manufacturing and promotes a $1.5 trillion defense budget request.
Hundreds of Oshkosh Corp. employees gathered in a Wittman Regional Airport hangar to hear Hegseth's remarks. Other attendees included U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman and members of the U.S. Department of Defense — renamed the Department of War by President Donald Trump.
Hegseth's speech was streamed live on the U.S. Department of War Facebook page and the department's YouTube channel.
Oshkosh Corp. is known for designing and manufacturing specialty vehicles, but the event focused mainly on subsidiary Oshkosh Defense's production of tactical vehicles and other military equipment. The company holds several active contracts with the U.S. military.
President and CEO John C. Pfeifer said in opening remarks that industrial technology is central to the company's work, but its focus is on "the heroes that we are here to serve," from firefighters to construction workers and especially warfighters.
"To us as a company and to all of our team members, the Arsenal of Freedom means we take American innovation, backed by American industrial might, powered by American workers, and we make happen what is supposed to be — in many cases — impossible," Pfeifer said.
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Hegseth praised employees and the company, saying their work is reflected around the world as "patriotism in the form of steel."
"We don't have the helmets without the hard hats, and we don't have the warriors without the workers," he said.
He added that many veterans likely thank Midwest manufacturers for work that helped protect service members.
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Hegseth said Oshkosh is a model for other commercial manufacturers that may "step up when your country needs you" and explore defense capabilities.
"We need more commercial companies in the Department of War space," he said. "We are open for business for the best American manufacturers."
He said many companies have been wary of "the maze of Pentagon bureaucracy," but President Donald Trump's attention to rebuilding the military is encouraging more defense contracts to modernize U.S. forces.
One of his goals, Hegseth said, is to "cut red tape" and remove barriers so American companies of all sizes can move more quickly.
Under the $1.5 trillion request, Hegseth said the department would grow the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and Space Force while continuing a period of strong recruitment.
He said the department is humbled by recent recruitment numbers and wants to support the men and women who choose to serve.
"And part of doing right by them is being right here with you. It's why building our defense industrial base is part of our national defense strategy," he said.
Hegseth called the plan a "bold generational investment," saying it is necessary to give today's service members the technology and tools of future warfare.
"We are laying the foundation for continued American dominance here at home, in our hemisphere, and around the globe for decades to come," he said.
In response to Hegseth's visit, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Devin Remiker called the stop "damage control" and criticized Republicans over tariffs, the cost of living and the war in Iran.
Remiker said, "Wisconsinites see through Republicans' slimy sales pitch and are tired of footing the bill for foreign wars and tariffs that have crushed our businesses, farmers and manufacturers."
Daphne Lemke is the Streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Hegseth says Oshkosh Defense workers key to US military