09.12.18

Hoeven Secures Funding for New Helicopter Facility at Minot Air Force Base, Guard Readiness Facility in Fargo in Conferenced FY19 Funding Bills

Legislation Also Provides Strong Support to Bolster Nation’s Nuclear Deterrent

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that he secured important provisions to bolster military missions in North Dakota in the final Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Energy and Water Development and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bills. The legislation, which was approved by the Senate today, provides $66 million in funding for a new helicopter facility at Minot Air Force Base and $32 million to build a Readiness Center in Fargo for the Army National Guard. Additionally, the senator secured strong funding to extend and refurbish nuclear warheads and ensure the nation’s nuclear deterrent remains credible.

“Given threats around the globe, our nation’s nuclear deterrent is critically important to keeping our nation safe and secure,” said Hoeven. “This legislation extends the life of the cruise missile warhead and begins refurbishing the warheads in our ICBMs, which is good for Minot Air Force Base missions and critical for our national security. Additionally, we secured military construction funding to help build a new helicopter facility at Minot Air Force Base to accommodate the new helicopters replacing the Hueys. We also secured $32 million to help build a new Readiness Facility in Fargo so our National Guard has the infrastructure and tools to complete their missions.”

Specifically, Hoeven secured the following in the final FY19 funding legislation:

  • $655 million to extend the life of the W80 warhead, which flies on the air launched cruise missile (ALCM) based at Minot Air Force Base and will transfer to the long range stand off (LRSO) missile scheduled to replace the ALCM.
  • $53 million to refurbish the W78 warheads that fly on the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and will transfer to the replacement missile following the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) program.
  • $66 million for a new helicopter facility at the Minot Air Force Base. The existing facilities are aging and will not accommodate new helicopters that will replace the Hueys currently deployed at the base.
  • $32 million for a Readiness Center in Fargo to house, support and train elements of three Army National Guard units – the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, the 191st Military Police Company and the 112th Aviation Regiment.

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