releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0F4753AA-BE27-4C5B-85D5-C179521C19BD
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0F4753AA-BE27-4C5B-85D5-C179521C19BD | Heitkamp Reinforces Importance of Minot Nuclear Missions at Task Force 21 Nuclear Conference | 2016-09-22 | 2016 | 2016-09 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today spoke at the 5th annual Nuclear Triad Conference organized by Minot’s Task Force 21, detailing her extensive work to protect and strengthen the U.S. nuclear arsenal – one of our country’s toughest, most effective national security tools. At the conference, Heitkamp discussed the critical role Minot Air Force Base plays in maintaining the nation’s security by hosting two legs of the nuclear triad. Minot is home to long-range strike bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Military, policy, industry and scientific experts in the nuclear field were all in attendance. Heitkamp reinforced the need to make sure the U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense uphold their commitments to improving the nuclear mission at Minot Air Force Base and across the country, and that Congress appropriates sufficient funds for those missions. “Growing hostility from adversaries like North Korea has made it clear just how valuable our nuclear arsenal is. With two legs of the triad in Minot, we know that smart investments in nuclear missions are smart investments in national security,” said Heitkamp. “This annual event has cemented Minot’s reputation as a nationwide leader in nuclear deterrence. Yesterday I met with Task Force 21 to discuss how the community supports the base and its missions, and to update them on my work to strengthen Minot Air Force Base – including my call last week for the next defense policy bill to include provisions modernizing our nuclear missions.” Last week, Heitkamp and her North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming Senate colleagues urged House and Senate Armed Services Committee leaders for strong nuclear modernization provisions in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act. The senators emphasized that modernizing our nuclear triad is needed for the U.S. to deter aggression from adversaries like North Korea. Earlier this month North Korea successfully launched another nuclear test, reinforcing that a robust nuclear deterrent is key to maintaining national security. Last month, Heitkamp announced that – as she had long called for – the U.S. Air Force hit key milestones in modernizing Minot’s ICBMs and developing the Long-Range Stand-Off (LRSO) cruise missile for Minot’s B-52 long-range strike bombers. The ICBMs and B-52 bombers in Minot are vital pieces of the country’s efforts to deter national security threats and keep the country safe. Heitkamp has been a strong supporter and defender of the ICBM and B-52 bomber missions since joining the U.S. Senate. When U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Jack General Weinstein visited Minot and Grand Forks Air Force Bases earlier this year he agreed to stay engaged with Heitkamp on nuclear issues impacting Minot Air Force Base. Heitkamp has since worked with General Weinstein – including a meeting in May – to make sure the Air Force is on track in updating the base’s ICBMs and helicopters, so the airmen in Minot have the tools they need. As a co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Defense Communities Caucus, Heitkamp has consistently worked to find innovative solutions to improve conditions for servicemembers, their families, and the communities they serve. Heitkamp’s work to support ICBMs, B-52s, and the airmen at Minot Air Force Base include: Joining U.S. Secretary of Defense and top Air Force official at Minot AFB. In 2014, Heitkamp joined then-U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James at Minot Air Force Base. During the visit, Hagel committed to investing billions of dollars to maintain and modernize our nation’s nuclear forces by improving and sustaining infrastructure and equipment, boosting servicemember morale, and increasing oversight. Pressing top Air Force officials to improve support for Minot AFB’s nuclear missions. In January 2015, Heitkamp highlighted the importance of bolstering the missions at Minot Air Force Base in a meeting with Miranda Ballentine, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment, and Energy. Leading efforts to strengthen support for ICBMs. Opposing efforts to reduce nuclear forces, Heitkamp and her colleagues in the Senate ICBM Coalition successfully convinced the Department of Defense to back off a plan to potentially reduce the number of ICBM silos. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |