Heitkamp Has Long Fought for New UH-1N Helicopters and Other Modernized Assets at Minot

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today joined a bipartisan push to secure a detailed timeline on the replacement of Vietnam-era UH-1N helicopters at Minot Air Force Base.

In a letter to Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, a bipartisan group of senators raised their concerns about delays related to the replacement of helicopters used to patrol several Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) sites, including those at Minot. The Air Force has repeatedly determined that the current helicopters fall short of mission requirements.

“The dedicated airmen at Minot deserve the best protection possible, not hand-me-down equipment from a conflict that ended over forty years ago,” said Heitkamp. “Our nation’s ICBM fields are vital components to a tough, smart nuclear deterrence strategy. As our nation continues to face increased nuclear threats from our adversaries, we cannot afford to subject our national security and the integrity of our nuclear deterrent to needless delays in replacing aging aircraft. The Air Force must provide an updated plan to replace these helicopters in an efficient and timely manner, so that Minot can strengthen its ability to keep American families safe.”

Heitkamp has long reinforced the urgent need to expedite the fielding of new helicopters at Minot Air Force Base. In April 2017, Heitkamp urged Defense Secretary James Mattis to quickly replace Minot’s aging UH-1N helicopters.

And as a member of the bipartisan Senate ICBM coalition, Heitkamp has pressed top Defense Department officials for years to secure timely replacements for the aging helicopters to protect the security of the nation’s ICBM arsenal.

The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), John Hoeven (R-ND), Mike Lee (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Mike Enzi (R-WY).

Last month, Heitkamp met with Secretary Wilson to push for the priorities of North Dakota’s Air Force installations, including the modernization of equipment and infrastructure to protect Minot Air Force Base’s critical defense assets and military families. The meeting came after the announcement that Minot will continue to host bomber missions and that the president’s budget includes $280 million for B-52 bomber modernization, more than double the current level of funding. The announcement followed Heitkamp leading the push to prioritize funding for the modernization of Minot Air Force Base’s B-52 long-range strike bombers.

###