Former Ambassador Barbara Barrett was confirmed on Wednesday by the U.S. Senate as Secretary of the Air Force.

North Dakota’s U.S. senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer commented on her confirmation.

“With two legs of the nuclear triad and vital UAS (unmanned aerial systems) missions, North Dakota plays an incredibly important role in our nation’s defense,” said Hoeven. “We outlined these important missions to Secretary Barrett during her confirmation process. Now that she’s been confirmed, we look forward to working together to continue advancing nuclear modernization efforts and to ensure that the Air Force utilizes North Dakota’s leadership in unmanned aviation to advance our nation’s capabilities.”

Hoeven is a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee.

Cramer said, “Military service is a source of pride for our state, a trait exemplified in part through the outstanding work of North Dakota’s Air Force and Air Guard instillations. Barrett has a clear understanding of why UAS, Space Force, the Arctic Mission and a fully-funded, rebuilt military are important to North Dakota. I look forward to working with her, and I hope she is able to visit North Dakota now that she’s been confirmed.”

Cramer is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

During her confirmation process, Hoeven and Cramer met with Barrett and outlined to her the importance of North Dakota’s nuclear and UAS missions and invited her to come to the state.