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 approximately 10,000 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 from 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.
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.
Lawton-Fort Sill is nationally recognized as one of the most culturally diversified communities in the United States. The community is the home of several museums and countless cultural, arts and humanities activities and organizations. Museums include the Fort Sill Museum, the Museum of the Great Plains. Art displays can be viewed at Cameron University, the Leslie Powell Gallery, McMahon Auditorium, Town Hall, and at Southwestern Medical Center. Lawton is home to many other culturally oriented organizations including Lawton Community Theatre, Southwest Oklahoma Dance Alliance, Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra, and Lawton City Ballet.