WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC); Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) released the following statements today regarding news that Michael G. Sauro of McAlester, Okla. was killed Wednesday from hostile fire at an Afghan military ammunition supply point outside of Kabul, Afghanistan:

“My prayers and thoughts go out to the family and friends of Michael Sauro who was killed in Afghanistan serving our nation,” Inhofe said. "Michael is one of our civilian warriors and heroes who serve alongside our uniformed members, performing critical tasks to ensure mission success. It is times like this that we must remember our nation remains at war, and the service and sacrifice of our active duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilians is what helps to keep America safe. Michael’s bravery and commitment to his nation, through repeatedly volunteering to serve and provide his military expertise in combat zones overseas, will never be forgotten.”

“I'm saddened by the death of Michael Sauro in Afghanistan this week,” Lankford said. “America is grateful for his sacrificial service to protect our freedoms. Mr. Sauro honorably served our nation as an Army civilian at the McAlester Ammunition Plant like so many Oklahomans and people from across the nation come to McAlester to do. Our nation understands that freedom is not free and that it is protected by our law-enforcement, our intelligence community, and our civilian, reserves and active-duty military who work every day to keep us safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

“This is a tragic loss for MCAAP and the people of McAlester," Mullin said. "Mr. Sauro dedicated his life to working with the Armed Services to ensure the warfighter was equipped with the best we had to offer.  My prayers are with his family and friends, and I grieve with them for the loss of this American hero.” 

Sauro began his federal civilian service in December of 1999 and was currently working in the Defense Ammunition Center at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant in McAlester, Okla.  Sauro was on his third deployment, having previously served in 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and again in Oct. 2012 to Jan. 2013 during Operation Enduring Freedom.   His family resides in Pennsylvania.