U.S. Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett is visiting the Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota Thursday at the invitation of Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND).
Hoeven invited Barrett to visit the facilities during her confirmation process last year. The senator, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, outlined the importance of the state’s missions, including the two nuclear missions in Minot. Defense Secretary Mark Esper visit the base in February.
“Considering the ongoing efforts of Russia and China, among others, to upgrade their nuclear programs and overcome our capabilities, we need to continue focusing on modernizing our nuclear programs,” Hoeven said. “That’s exactly what we’ve done through the Defense Appropriations Committee, and visits from administration officials like Secretary Barrett and Secretary Esper bolster these important efforts while also highlighting the critical work of our servicemembers in Minot. We appreciate Secretary Barrett for following through on her commitment to us to visit the state, and we look forward to our continued work together to strengthen the ICBM and bomber missions in North Dakota.”
As a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, Hoeven helped secure full funding to keep the nuclear modernization programs on, or ahead of, schedule. This includes funding for the B-52, Long Range Stand Off (LRSO) missile, Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent, UH-1N Huey helicopters, and a new helicopter facility in Minot.