Heitkamp, Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Support for Long-Range Bomber Missions at Minot AFB

Press Release

Building on her commitment to a strong and effective national defense, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today helped introduce bipartisan legislation to support our nation's long-range bomber missions, including those carried out at Minot Air Force Base, which help keep North Dakota and the nation safe.

Heitkamp and Republican Senator Mike Rounds from South Dakota introduced the Long Range Bomber Sustainment Act -- which they have been working on together for several months -- to support the B-1, B-2, or B-52 bomber aircraft and the airmen who operate them by making sure the missions continue to last well into the future. The Senators' bill would make sure the U.S. military doesn't retire these aircraft prematurely by requiring the U.S. Secretary of Defense to make certain that doing so would not hurt the military's capability to execute any long-range bomber missions. North Dakota is the only state to host two legs of the nuclear triad -- including B-52 bombers at Minot Air Force Base -- and Heitkamp has led efforts to make investments in the bomber force to support one of our nation's most credible nuclear deterrents.

"At Minot Air Force Base, our airmen who carry out B-52 bomber missions help keep each of us safe. These missions provide strong deterrence by sending a signal that America is committed to preventing aggression against us and our allies," said Heitkamp. "As a staunch advocate for our Air Force bases and the servicemembers who work there, I introduced this bipartisan bill to help bolster a key piece of our national defense well into the future by making sure we don't retire these aircraft prematurely. With threats from the Middle East, Russia, and other volatile regions and countries around the world, the deterrent at Minot Air Force Base is key to protecting our security from threats abroad and I'll continue to push for the resources our servicemembers need to continue doing that job."

Heitkamp, a co-founder of the Senate Defense Communities Caucus, has been a vocal advocate for supporting the nuclear missions at Minot Air Force Base, including the 5th Bomb Wing's B-52 bombers and the 91st Missile Wing's Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs):

Joined U.S. Secretary of Defense at Minot AFB -- Last fall, Heitkamp joined then-U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James at Minot Air Force Base. During the visit, Hagel committed to investing billions of dollars to maintain and modernize our nation's nuclear forces. He also noted the need for additional investments to improve and sustain infrastructure and equipment, boost troop morale, and increase oversight.

Pressed top Air Force officials to improve support for Minot AFB's nuclear missions -- In January, Heitkamp highlighted the importance of bolstering the missions at Minot Air Force Base to protecting our national security in a meeting with Miranda Ballentine, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment, and Energy. Last summer, Heitkamp also urged top U.S. Air Force officials to protect the long-term viability of B-52 and ICBM missions at Minot Air Force Base and stressed the need to invest in and modernize the base's B-52 bomber force to help deter potential enemies from action.

Led efforts to strengthen support for ICBMs -- Opposing efforts to reduce nuclear forces, Heitkamp and her colleagues in the Senate ICBM coalition successfully convinced the Department of Defense to back off a plan to potentially reduce the number of ICBM silos. Last year, Heitkamp opposed unwarranted reductions to America's nuclear arsenal levels.

Helped secure pay rate increases for civilian employees at Minot AFB -- After bringing U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director Katherine Archuleta to the base to hear firsthand the challenges they face, Heitkamp announced significant pay rate increases for civilian employees last December, in March, and in April. The raises aim to help recruit and retain these needed employees who support the servicemembers at the base by making sure their salaries keep pace with the skyrocketing cost of living in the area.

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