U.S. Sen. John Hoeven

For decades, Minot Air Force Base has been a cornerstone of our nation’s defense, serving as the only dual-nuclear base and hosting two legs of our nuclear triad. As we mark the 70th anniversary of this important military facility’s groundbreaking, we should take the opportunity to reflect on and remember the role such missions have played in supporting the long-term stability, peace and prosperity of our country and the world. Effective nuclear deterrence has empowered the U.S. and our allies to keep the aggressions of our adversaries at bay, providing an essential check on bad actors like Russia, China, North Korea and Iran. This is as important today as when the B-52s first came to Minot in 1961, and that’s why we’re working to advance modernized nuclear missions that will get the base to its 100th anniversary and beyond.

Looking back over the past century, it is easy to see the difference that our nuclear deterrent has made in preventing widespread conflict from engulfing the world, compared to the early to mid-1900s. Such a prolonged period of relative peace has served us well, allowing for significantly increased standards of living here in the U.S. and around the globe. We cannot take this for granted, especially as we see the world grow more dangerous and hostile nations becoming bolder. Russia, China and others continue to invest in their nuclear capabilities, seeking to overcome our defenses and eliminate our strategic advantage.

Considering this, I am particularly proud of the second-to-none support that Minot provides to the base, our servicemembers and their families. The constant efforts of civic leaders, including Task Force 21, and the people of Minot to champion our men and women in uniform make it possible for them to perform their missions while also being a part of a proud and patriotic local community. The city and its leaders have been a tremendous partner as we seek to modernize our nuclear forces, including the bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) at Minot Air Force Base, which will ensure the security of the U.S. and our allies.

As a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, I’ve been working to do just that, providing the funding and legislation needed to keep the Sentinel ICBM, Long Range Stand Off (LRSO) cruise missile and B-52 update programs on track. These initiatives are a tremendous undertaking, requiring years of research, development, coordination and construction. There are any number of issues that could disrupt our efforts, like cost increases due to inflation, but through good partnerships and collaboration, we have been able to keep these programs moving forward.

To this end, I continue working to advance priorities that will reduce costs, accelerate timelines and ensure Minot is ready to field these new weapons as soon as they are fully developed. In particular, I’ve been pressing the Department of Defense (DoD) to concurrently construct facilities at all three missile bases, which will bring down construction costs and enable Sentinel to be deployed sooner. I’ve also been working to invest in upgrades to the base’s Weapons Storage Area and mission planning facilities. These are needed for Minot to operate and maintain the new LRSO cruise missile, which will be carried on the B-52 and is expected to enter service in the early 2030s.

At the same time, we need our existing nuclear forces to remain an effective deterrent until the new systems are brought online. Importantly, I secured a measure in the 2025 defense authorization bill that prohibits any reduction in the number of deployed ICBMs, preserving this critical mission as work continues on Sentinel.

These efforts come as the latest in our work to support the men and women serving at Minot Air Force Base and ensure they are successful in their missions for decades to come. We still have much work ahead of us, but as the Minot community celebrates this milestone, it’s important that we take stock, recognize the tremendous role of this base in our nation’s history and lay out our plans to maintain its ability to keep our nation secure and free.