Peace Garden News

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), who chairs the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee, visited Hill Air Force Base in Utah following his attendance at an Air Force town hall on nuclear modernization in Minot. Hill Air Force Base provides logistical, maintenance, and operational support for the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), which are housed at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. Minot is notable for being the only base in the country to house two legs of the nuclear triad.

During his visit, Senator Cramer received a briefing from Air Force leadership about the sustainment of ICBMs deployed across North Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. The briefing also covered development efforts for Sentinel, a replacement system for the current Minuteman III missiles.

Hill Air Force Base is also responsible for maintaining and supporting F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft.

“Hill Air Force Base is a cornerstone of air and missile defense, supporting Minot’s ICBMs, maintaining our country’s fighting force, and ensuring military readiness across the world,” said Senator Cramer. “Not only is the base home to the incredible F-35 fighter jet, it’s the proving ground for Sentinel. This next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile system will replace the aging Minuteman system deployed across North Dakota and serve as a foundational component of our nuclear deterrence. It’s an honor to see the great, exciting work these airmen are doing.”

The tour included visits to Hill’s F-35 maintenance facility as well as Northrop Grumman’s Promontory site and Roy Innovation Center. The Promontory site manufactures and tests rocket motors for ballistic missiles while the Roy Innovation Center serves as headquarters for work on modernizing Sentinel ICBMs.