Peace Garden News

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), who chairs the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee, spoke at a town hall meeting in Minot, North Dakota, emphasizing the need to modernize the United States’ nuclear deterrence capabilities. The event, sponsored by the U.S. Air Force, focused on providing landowners and local residents with information about the Sentinel program and its expected effects on communities near Minot Air Force Base.

During his remarks, Cramer discussed the importance of updating nuclear systems to maintain national security. “The reality is that for too long the United States has relied on our reputational deterrence,” he said. “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 leaders at the meeting provided an update on a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) being prepared as part of planning for property use around Air Force Bases in Montana and Wyoming. The EIS process will ensure compliance with federal environmental law and will address updates in facility design since an earlier study completed in March 2023.

“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,” Cramer said.

Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) have been part of America’s nuclear forces for more than five decades. There are currently 400 Minuteman III missiles stationed across three U.S. bases; Minot AFB is unique as it houses two parts of America’s nuclear triad. The Sentinel program was created to replace these aging weapons with LGM-35A Sentinel ICBMs intended for service through 2075.

Recent federal legislation supported by President Donald Trump aims to improve nuclear capabilities by directing significant funding toward modernization efforts within America’s nuclear triad. This includes $2.5 billion for developing new missiles under the Sentinel program, $500 million for continued safety upgrades to existing systems, $100 million for re-entry vehicle improvements, and $210 million allocated for helicopters used in missile field operations.