Eloise Ogden/MDN Gen. John E. Hyten visits with a group of airmen at Minot Air Force Base in June 2017. At the time Hyten became commander of U.S. Strategic Command about six months earlier.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) member Kevin Cramer issued the following statement this week on Gen. John Hyten being confirmed as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:

“General Hyten’s background and keen understanding of important national and North Dakota military issues – like Ground-Based Strategic Deterrence, the Arctic Mission and the need for a Space Force- make him an exceptional choice for this role. I look forward to working with him on these shared priorities.”

Cramer met with Hyten at the end of July and questioned him at his confirmation hearing. In February, they spoke about Cramer’s North Dakota Military Tour, with the general calling those at Minot, Cavalier and Grand Forks “amazing people.”