Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is touring defense manufacturers in Wisconsin and Nebraska as part of his nationwide “Arsenal of Freedom” tour, visiting U.S. Strategic Command Headquarters in Omaha and Oshkosh Corporation on August 24 to showcase the defense industrial base’s role in equipping American military forces.
During his stop at Oshkosh Corporation in Wisconsin, Hegseth toured the facility where workers build advanced tactical vehicles including the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV), and Remotely Operated Ground Unit for Expeditionary Fires (ROGUE-Fires). Oshkosh Defense has manufactured more than 25,000 JLTVs since receiving the original contract in 2015, supplying them to the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy, and allied partners worldwide.
According to the Department of Defense, the tour’s goal is to “create a defense ecosystem that is more agile and accountable, capable of delivering the tools our warfighters need, when they need them.” The initiative reflects broader efforts within the Trump administration to strengthen U.S. defense manufacturing capacity, which has emerged as a priority across the federal government.
The defense industrial base has faced significant challenges in recent years, with manufacturers struggling to meet demand amid workforce shortages and aging production infrastructure. A 2026 study by Oliver Wyman found that the U.S. defense supply chain continues to work toward expanding capacity, while the Defense Department has launched multiyear purchasing initiatives to encourage private investment in production capability. Hegseth’s tour represents a visible commitment to this effort, bringing the Defense Secretary directly to manufacturers to underscore the administration’s focus on industrial readiness.
Earlier in the day, Hegseth visited U.S. Strategic Command Headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, Nebraska. The dual-state tour reflects the geographic spread of defense manufacturing and military operations across the country. Hegseth has made campaign-style visits to support Republican candidates in recent weeks, including a stop at the Iowa State Fair on August 18, where he promoted his controversial $1.5 trillion defense budget proposal for the 2027 budget. The Wisconsin visit drew protests from Democratic critics who argued the tour was part of a broader effort to deflect from unpopular policies.
Sources
- Fox 11 Online — Oshkosh Corporation hosting details, vehicle production figures, and Hegseth remarks
- The Northwestern (Oshkosh) — Pentagon advisory confirming the “Arsenal of Freedom” tour stop
- Department of Defense — Official tour purpose and objectives
- Iowa Public Radio — Hegseth’s August 18 Iowa campaign stop and defense budget proposal
- Oliver Wyman — Defense industrial base capacity assessment
