01.22.14

Hoeven Highlights Minot Air Base's Critical Defense Role in Minot Meeting with New Air Force Secretary James

Senator Showcases New Infrastructure, Planned Projects

MINOT, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today welcomed the newly confirmed Secretary of the Air Force, Deborah Lee James, to help highlight the importance of Minot Air Force Base and its strong role in the nation’s nuclear triad of missiles, bombers and nuclear-armed submarines.

“We wanted Secretary James to see the critical role that Minot Air Force base plays in our nation’s defense and how important it is that they have the infrastructure and resources they need to fulfill their missions for our country’s security,” Hoeven said. “We highlighted the recently completed air traffic control tower and consolidated facility to house airfield operations, as well as the upcoming improvements to the base’s runways and other infrastructure projects.”

As the nation’s only dual nuclear mission base, with both ICBM and B-52 missions, Minot Air Force base plays a crucial role in the nation’s defenses, Hoeven said. The senator wanted James to see some of the recently completed projects at the base, and discuss the need to complete upcoming improvements to strengthen the facility further.

Last month, Hoeven announced that a $32 million contract was awarded for 2014 runway repairs and improvements. In addition, the senator worked last year as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee to secure more than $30 million in funding for construction and maintenance projects at Minot Air Force Base in the Fiscal 2014 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, which Congress passed in December.

The defense legislation includes three major projects for Minot Air Force Base:

Military construction: Fully funds all three FY14 ND military construction projects (all at Minot AFB), including:

  • B-52 Aircraft Maintenance Facility-- $15.5 million. Funding will be used to construct an aircraft maintenance facility to house additional maintenance personnel and equipment associated with the second B-52 squadron.
  • B-52 Munitions Storage Igloos-- $8.3 million. This project funds four munitions storage igloos to hold additional conventional munitions in support of the second B-52 squadron.
  • Fuel Pipeline Replacement-- $6.4 million. This funding will replace an aging fuel pipeline that supports aircraft operations on the base.

Missile Silos: The recently passed appropriations omnibus includes a Hoeven sponsored amendment that ensures the Air Force will retain all of its 450 Minuteman III silos, 150 of which are at Minot Air Force Base.