[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 140 (Wednesday, October 2, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S12163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       MAINTAINING OUR B-52 FLEET

  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I rise to comment on important steps taken 
in this year's defense appropriations bill to maintain our full fleet 
of 94 B-52H bombers. Many North Dakotans, particularly those who live 
and work at Minot Air Force Base, are very interested in the future of 
these aircraft.
  My colleagues will understand the importance of these bombers when 
they recall that it was B-52's that recently struck at Saddam Hussein 
in retaliation for his violation of the Kurdish safe haven in northern 
Iraq. Those bombers flew from Guam, were refueled by KC-135 tankers, 
and launched 13 AGM-86 cruise missiles at air defense, command and 
communications targets in southern Iraq. Press reports suggested that 
the B-52's long-range capability was needed because no Middle Eastern 
country would allow the United States to use its bases or airspace in 
order to launch this air strike.

                          ____________________