Vice President Pence to review nuclear missions at Minot Air Force Based in North Dakota

Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) announced Wednesday that Vice President Mike Pence will visit the Minot Air Force Base in Ward County, North Dakota, today to review the base’s dual-nuclear missions.

Pence will also meet the base’s leadership and address the airmen during the visit Minot, which is home to both B-52 bombers and Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) silos.

“As we continue to face instability and threats around the world, our nuclear deterrent remains a critical part of our national defense strategy,” Hoeven said. “It’s important for the administration to be familiar with the good work of our airmen and understand the importance of maintaining a credible and modern nuclear force to counter threats like North Korea and Iran. I welcome the Vice President’s visit to Minot, and I look forward to advancing this important priority with him.”

Following invitations from Hoeven, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson and Defense Secretary James Mattis also visited the Minot Air Force Base this month. In a press release, Hoeven stressed the importance of these officials seeing the work of the base’s airmen firsthand.

Hoeven recently helped to advance the Senate’s FY18 National Defense Authorization Act and secure $27 million in the Senate’s Fiscal Year FY18 funding legislation for an indoor firing range at the Minot Air Force Base.