Senator Cramer Champions Funding For Minot’s Nuclear Modernization
The proposed fiscal year 2027 federal budget includes about $230 million for upgrades at Minot Air Force Base, continuing efforts to modernize the nation’s nuclear force.
Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) said the funding would support two projects tied to the LGM-35A Sentinel program, which is set to replace the aging Minuteman III missiles. Minot remains the only base in the country supporting two legs of the nuclear triad.
“Our Airmen at Minot operate in some of the toughest conditions anywhere and they still show up every day to keep America’s nuclear deterrent strong,” Cramer said. “Investments in the Sentinel program are about protecting the country and backing the people undertaking the mission.”
Plans include $124 million for a new vehicle maintenance complex and $108 million for a Security Forces Operations Center. The maintenance facility would replace several older buildings, some dating back to the 1950s and 1960s, and expand capacity to support more than 1,100 vehicles. Airmen currently perform some maintenance work outdoors during harsh winter conditions.
“Getting these projects into the budget is a big step toward safer, long-term solutions on the ground, and I’m excited to see the impact at Minot,” Cramer said.
The operations center would serve the 91st Missile Wing, combining training, storage, and operational support into one location for more than 1,000 personnel responsible for missile site security and convoy operations.
The Sentinel program is part of a broader effort to modernize the nation’s nuclear arsenal, with the transition from Minuteman III expected to begin around 2030.
A decommissioned Minuteman III missile is also expected to be placed on display at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum as part of a military gallery scheduled to open in 2027.
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