03.07.13

Hoeven Enlists Air Force Leader to Support North Dakota Priorities

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today met with Acting Under-Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Jamie Morin to make the case for existing and future missions for the North Dakota Air National Guard and the Minot and Grand Forks Air Force Bases.

“Fargo, Grand Forks and Minot make enormous contributions to the Air Force and our national defense,” Hoeven said. “We made it clear to Dr. Morin that our state is committed to supporting long-term Air Force missions, including a new tanker mission in Grand Forks, a manned flying mission for the Air National Guard and the current nuclear and bomber fleets in Minot.”

Grand Forks Air Force Base is one of four installations under consideration by the Air Force to host the KC-46, the Air Force’s new aerial refueling tanker. Hoeven cited Grand Forks existing infrastructure as a key benefit for basing the KC-46. The Air Force has sent site survey teams to each base, including Grand Forks, being considered to host the KC-46.

Hoeven pressed Dr. Morin to continue updating infrastructure at the Minot Air Force Base, which hosts intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and nuclear bombers, two legs of the nation’s nuclear triad. Hoeven has been working with the Air Force to ensure new dormitories and other infrastructure on the base is completed.

Senator Hoeven continued to press for the C-27 mission for the Air Guard. The 119th Wing currently has the Predator as well as the C-21 mission, which is currently scheduled to be completed at the end of Fiscal Year 2013. The Air Force is recommending an intelligence gathering mission for Fargo combined with the Predator.