MINOT AIR FORCE BASE – Sen. John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, along with U.S. Air Force leaders and a bipartisan group of his Senate colleagues on Friday reviewed the dual nuclear missions of Minot Air Force Base.

The officials included:

– Gen. Charles Brown, U.S. Air Force chief of staff, who has now toured both Minot AFB and Grand Forks AFB in his first year as chief.

– Gen. Timothy Ray, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command with headquarters at Barksdale AFB, La.

– Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, respectively.

Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

– Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), a member of both Senate Armed Services and the Senate Defense Appropriations Committees.

Hoeven stressed the importance of ensuring these leaders see and learn about the nuclear missions firsthand, especially as the U.S. is working to modernize its forces in order to maintain a credible deterrent and stay ahead of the capabilities of its adversaries. The visit builds on Hoeven’s work to ensure nuclear modernization efforts have strong support in the administration and Congress, are fully funded and stay on schedule.

To this end, the senator also recently made the case for nuclear modernization to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks. Additionally, Hoeven is pressing the administration to conduct a Nuclear Posture Review, which would include military assessment of the value of our nuclear deterrent in the face of challenges like China, Russia and North Korea.

“We need to complete these nuclear modernization efforts so we can continue to counter emerging threats from around the globe,” said Hoeven. “Today’s visit included key figures from the Air Force and senators from both sides of the aisle, as we continue working to secure the support we need to adequately fund updates for the B-52s, cruise missiles and ICBMS and keep these programs on schedule. I appreciate General Brown and General Ray for the time and attention given to these critical issues, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to ensure our nation has a credible nuclear deterrent for years to come.”

The group was also scheduled to visit the nuclear mission at Offutt AFB, Neb.

On Monday, Hoeven will host Lt. Gen. Michael Loh, director of the Air National Guard, along with North Dakota Adjutant General Alan Dohrmann at Hector Field in Fargo, where they will review the 119th Wing’s Reaper missions and efforts to establish a new operations center.