Hoeven Meets With Top U.S. Air Force General In Support Of Minot Air Force Base
Senator Working To Support Global Strike, Minot Air Force Base Enhancements
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John Hoeven today met with Maj. General Floyd L. Carpenter, Commander, 8th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic), Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and Joint Functional Component Commander for Global Strike, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Neb. Air Force Global Strike Command is charged with providing combat ready forces to conduct strategic nuclear deterrence and global strike operations.
Hoeven is working to support the Minot Air Force base and the 5th Operations Group, including enhancements to the runway, control tower, maintenance facilities and housing in light of the new 69th Bomb Squadron, a second bomb wing that has joined the 23rd Bomb Squadron at the base.
The Senator also reviewed with General Carpenter the planned conversion of some of the B-52 aircraft stationed in Minot from nuclear to conventional capability, which is a requirement of the New Start Treaty with Russia. Carpenter indicated the Air Force will begin the conversion process within the next two years, and that the aircraft will remain stationed at the base along with those that are equipped for nuclear weapons. The planned conversion is scheduled to be made over the next seven years.
“As a former group commander at the Minot Air Force Base, Maj. General Carpenter knows firsthand the importance of the base to the region and to our national security infrastructure,” Hoeven said. “We will do all we can to support his efforts to both enhance the base and upgrade the B-52 fleet to meet the needs of the Air Force both now and well into the future.”
"The Mighty Eighth" serves as the air component headquarters to U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) for strategic deterrence, global strike, and operates USSTRATCOM’s Joint Air Operations Center. The Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike plans and executes strategic deterrence and global strike operations for USSTRATCOM.
Hoeven serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.
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