10.29.15

Hoeven Congratulates Air Force on Bomber Program Announcement

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today congratulated the Air Force for awarding a contract to produce the nation’s newest long-range bomber. Hoeven, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, pledged to work with the Air Force to field the new bomber over the next several years.

“Our nation’s security depends on our ability to strike targets anywhere around the world at any time,” Hoeven said. “It is critical that we get to work on a new bomber to ensure the U.S. can defeat the advanced air defense systems our adversaries are developing. I look forward to working with the Air Force to ensure this bomber can meet the threats we face and provide the best possible value to the taxpayer.”

Minot Air Force Base in Minot, North Dakota, is one of the nation’s two bases that host the B-52 fleet, the only U.S. bomber that carries nuclear-armed cruise missiles. Hoeven has strongly advocated for a new nuclear cruise missile that can defeat enemy air defenses and reinforce the air-based leg of the nation’s nuclear deterrent.

Hoeven serves as co-chairman of the Senate Air Force Caucus.

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