ND North News

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), who chairs the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee, addressed the need for nuclear modernization at a town hall in Minot, North Dakota. The event, organized by the U.S. Air Force, focused on the Sentinel program and its expected effects on communities near Minot Air Force Base.

During his remarks, Cramer said: “The reality is that for too long the United States has relied on our reputational deterrence,” “That is to say, people believed us because we had a reputation of having the best equipment and a willingness to use it to protect our country. Even the Minuteman III ICBMs can’t fend off the passage of time forever, and our enemies know that. If we don’t modernize the capabilities of the previous generation, we’re going to lose the greatest leverage we have that keeps the bad actors in their place and frankly prevents World War III. We wouldn’t be able to fund modernization if the taxpayers didn’t educate themselves on why a program like Sentinel protects America, and that’s why this it’s so important you should spend a Tuesday night making sure it’s done right in Minot, North Dakota.”

Air Force officials provided an update about a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) being developed for potential property use changes at bases in Montana and Wyoming. This EIS will focus mainly on areas around Malstrom Air Force Base in Montana and F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming and will address design updates since March 2023 while ensuring compliance with federal environmental regulations.

Cramer also acknowledged military leadership involved with these efforts: “A big thank you goes to General Connor and of course all of the leadership at Global Strike Command and the 91st Roughriders that are here tonight, as well as the community leaders, Task Force 21 and other leaders of this very critical endeavor,”

Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles have played a central role in U.S. nuclear defense for over five decades. There are currently 400 Minuteman III missiles across three U.S. bases; Minot AFB is unique as it hosts two legs of America’s nuclear triad.

The Sentinel program aims to replace aging Minuteman III systems with LGM-35A Sentinel ICBMs designed for service through 2075.

Recent federal legislation under President Donald Trump has directed $2.5 billion toward advancing Sentinel program deployment, $500 million to maintain safety within existing Minuteman III operations, $100 million for re-entry vehicle upgrades, and $210 million for new helicopters supporting missile field maintenance.