04.01.15

Hoeven Working to Secure $7.3 Million Modern Facility to Support Air National Guard's New Intel Mission

Senator Worked to Include Funding in 2016 Budget, Will Work in Committee to Appropriate Funds

FARGO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today updated supporters of the North Dakota Air National Guard on his work to secure a $7.3 million modern facility to support the 119th Air Wing’s new intelligence targeting mission. As a member of the Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee, Hoeven is now working to ensure that Congress appropriates the funds so that a permanent facility can be built.

The senator spoke before a meeting of the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee and the Air National Guard (ANG) Support Group.

The intelligence targeting group is tasked with assisting military commanders in identifying and eliminating enemy threats, but the mission is already outgrowing its facilities. Last year, Hoeven pressed National Guard Chief General Frank Grass to budget for a new facility to accommodate the mission, and the senator worked to get the Guard’s $7.3 million included in the 2016 budget.

“The new intelligence targeting mission for the 119th Air Wing is exciting and important, and that’s why it is equally important that they have the secure resources and facilities they need to support their work,” Hoeven said. “Without the new facility, the mission will be kept in its transition facilities, which will keep it from reaching full operational capability and risk unauthorized release of classified information. I’m working to get the $7.3 million facility through the appropriations process so that the building can be constructed and occupied by 2017.”

The NDANG worked to modify existing facilities at Hector to ensure they could begin the mission on time in 2015, but as newly trained staff are assigned to the base, the wing will need a facility with the capacity to accommodate more than 200 personnel. The facility will include a Sensitive Compartmentalized Information Facility (SCIF), where sensitive data can be securely stored, discussed or electronically processed. The intelligence mission will also serve to provide targeting training after technical school for all Air National Guard intelligence personnel.

The senator also thanked the airmen for their exemplary service and praised them for their contributions to U.S. national defense, noting the Air and Army National Guard’s work in support of critical missions across the state, the nation and the world.

Senator Hoeven has worked in his capacity on the Appropriations Committee to support the missions at North Dakota’s military bases. The senator also chairs the Appropriations Committee for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees a $40 billion budget.

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