Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Mission Will Reinforce MAFB's Central Role in Nation's Nuclear
Program
Senators Byron Dorgan (D) and Kent Conrad (D) along with
Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D) announced today that the Air Force
will establish a unit at Minot AFB to oversee the maintenance and
sustainment of nuclear weapons at all of the nation’s
Minuteman ICBM bases. This will bring a new nuclear mission to
Minot.
“Minot supports both bombers and a missile wing. It makes
great sense for Minot to host the group that would oversee the
upkeep of many of our nation’s nuclear weapons,” the
delegation said. “This is a reflection of the great work that
Minot has done to be one of the best-equipped and best-trained
bases in the country.”
The decision by Air Force Secretary Michael Donley comes after
the members of the North Dakota delegation urged Air Force leaders
to locate the new Munitions Maintenance Group at Minot.
Minot was one of five potential bases surveyed by the Air Force
for the location of the headquarters of the 778th Munitions
Maintenance Group. The unit will be officially established this
summer and will assume command of munitions squadrons at Vandeburg
Air Force Base, CA; F.E. Warren Air Force Base, WY; Malmstrom Air
Force Base, MT; and Minot Air Force Base.
“This is great news for Minot. Yet another mission means
the future is looking very bright for Minot Air Force Base and the
community,” the delegation said.
Currently, Minot is home to the B-52H Stratofortress bombers of
the 5th Bomb Wing as well as the 91st Missile Wing and its fleet of
150 Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). It
is the nation’s only dual nuclear mission base.
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