09.20.24

Hoeven Meets with General Brown, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff on Updating U.S. Forces

Leaders Discuss Importance of Nuclear Modernization & New UAS Technologies in Protecting the Nation

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven this week met with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Brown on supporting Israel and Ukraine, and the importance of updating U.S. forces and developing new capabilities to ensure the U.S. has the tools and resources necessary to keep the nation safe. Hoeven stressed the role of nuclear modernization and developing new unmanned aerial systems (UAS) technologies in deterring threats and protecting the nation, including:

  • Utilizing Project Ultra and new technologies being developed and tested at Grand Forks Air Force Base and Grand Sky to advance U.S. drone capabilities. As the Air Force works to develop drone and counter drone capability, the senator highlighted the infrastructure in place in North Dakota to efficiently advance these drone programs.
  • The need to concurrently upgrade U.S. nuclear forces as a way of providing the most timely and cost-effective deterrent. Minot Air Force Base houses two of the three legs of the nuclear triad and Hoeven has worked to secure funding to keep nuclear modernization efforts on track. 

            “I had a great conversation with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Brown,” said Hoeven. We discussed what's happening in Ukraine and Israel, as well as the need for DoD to have the necessary flexibility to develop new systems to strengthen national security and defend against our adversaries. Our discussion focused on how we can update and upgrade our armed forces here in the United States. Both Minot Air Force Base and Grand Forks Air Force Base are playing a key role in that effort.”

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