DORGAN MEETS WITH COLONEL WESTA TO DISCUSS FUTURE OF MINOT AIR FORCE BASE

Topics included new B-52 squadron, welfare of Air Force personnel

Friday, July 11, 2008

CONTACT: Justin Kitsch
or  Brenden Timpe
PHONE: 202-224-2551

(WASHINGTON, DC) — U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan today met with Col. Joel S. Westa, Commander of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, to discuss future initiatives at the base and get an update on the base’s preparations for the arrival of its new B-52 squadron.

Accompanying Colonel Westa were Chief Master Sergeant Mark R. Clark, who is the 5th Bomb Wing Command Chief and serves as Colonel Westa’s senior enlisted advisor; and Staff Sgt. Julia Coopman.

Dorgan and Col. Westa discussed the Air Force’s proposal to bring a new squadron of B-52s to Minot Air Force Base. Senator Dorgan, along with the North Dakota congressional delegation, has fought to maintain the nation’s fleet of B-52s, which have years of life left and are the lowest-cost bomber to operate in the nation’s fleet. The new squadron of B-52s at Minot Air Force base will add 10 operational bombers and about 1,090 additional military personnel to the base. Dorgan, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is working to include the $185 million required to fund these additional bombers in the appropriations bill that is pending in Congress.

“Col. Westa and I had a very productive meeting discussing the future of Minot Air Force Base,” said Dorgan. “He came to Minot Air Force Base at a very critical time, as we in the state are committed to both moving the base forward with a new squadron of B-52s. I look forward to working with Col. Westa to ensure that the men and women who serve at Minot Air Force Base have all the resources they need to carry out their mission.”

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