On July 15th, U.S. Senator John Hoeven joined Task Force 21 members at the Minot Area Chamber EDC (MACEDC) office to provide an update on the advancement in modernization of the dual-nuclear missions at Minot Air Force Base.

Hoeven led consultation on how to best help the Minot area & state of North Dakota prepare for the Sentinel Program, consisting of critical modernization of the land-based leg of the nuclear triad that will replace the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system, which has been in service for over 50 years. There was additional discussion on Hoeven’s recent efforts to secure critical military construction priorities for Minot in the Senate’s annual funding legislation for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, his work with DoD leadership to maintain the Sentinel program during the recent Nunn-McCurdy review, and a push for accelerating the schedule of the Sentinel Program.

“We need to keep advancing nuclear modernization so we can effectively counter the capabilities being developed by Russia and China. The Minot community is a critical part of this effort, which is why we’re engaging in an active planning process with local leaders, while also pressing for concurrent construction at all three bases to keep these programs on track and help reduce costs,” said Hoeven.

MACEDC and Task Force 21 are continuing to monitor any updates regarding Sentinel, and are pleased to hear that so much consideration is being put into the community prior to the project’s initiation.

Senator Hoeven’s full news release can be read online here: https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/-hoeven-holds-planning-meeting-in-minot-to-advance-nuclear-modernization-programs