07.03.13

Hoeven Meets with Minot Air Base Leaders to Inspect Base Construction Projects

Senator Worked to Secure MAFB Project Funds in Fiscal 2014 Military Construction Appropriations Bill

MINOT, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, today met with Minot Air Force leaders and service members to discuss important military construction projects on the base. Hoeven worked to include over $30 million in funding for construction and maintenance projects at Minot Air Force Base in the Fiscal 2014 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act approved by Hoeven and the Appropriations Committee in June.

“The airmen at Minot Air Force Base play a critical role in our nation’s defense and ensuring they have the infrastructure and resources they need to fulfill their missions is a top priority for us,” said Hoeven.

The appropriations legislation includes three projects totaling $30.2 million for Minot Air Force Base:

  • B-52 Aircraft Maintenance Facility-- $15,530,000. Funding will be used to construct an aircraft maintenance facility to house additional maintenance personnel and equipment associated with the second B-52 squadron. Currently, these additional maintenance personnel are housed in temporary facilities.
  • B-52 Munitions Storage Igloos-- $8,300,000. This project funds four munitions storage igloos to hold additional conventional munitions in support of the second B-52 squadron. The additional munitions are required for crew proficiency training and operational plans.
  • Fuel Pipeline Replacement-- $6,400,000. This funding will replace an aging fuel pipeline that supports aircraft operations on the base. It includes almost 7,000 feet of improved pipeline to replace 40-year old, single-wall piping in constant need of repair. Trucks supporting aircraft refueling operations require the new pipeline to keep up with refueling demand.

The Fiscal 2014 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act must be passed by the full Senate and the House of Representatives.