[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 22, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4415-S4416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                65TH ANNIVERSARY OF MINOT AIR FORCE BASE

  Mr. CRAMER. Mr. President, I want to congratulate the Minot Air Force 
Base on the 65th anniversary of its beginning.
  On July 12, 1955, Minot, ND, community leaders and area residents 
gathered to break ground on land north of the city for what would 
become the Minot Air Force Base. One and a half years later, operations 
commenced at the base, and personnel and aircraft made their way to 
Minot, where they have enhanced our State and defended our Nation ever 
since. By the mid-1960s, it was recognized as one of the Nation's 
largest military installations, with a population of nearly 19,000 
military and civilian men and women and their families. It was also 
recognized as having the largest housing village on a military base in 
the continental United States, with more than 2,450 homes.
  The mission, aircraft, and staff have changed over these past seven 
decades. Today, the Minot Air Force Base supports two legs of the 
Nation's nuclear triad and provides vital defense to our security. It 
is the only dual-wing nuclear-capable installation in the Nation, with 
the 5th Bomb Wing and its B-52 bombers and the 91st Missile Wing, along 
with Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles.
  During these 65 years, the Minot community and State of North Dakota 
have remained constant in their support for the thousands of people who 
have been stationed at the Minot Air Force Base. We take pride in all 
they have done and continue to do to ensure peace throughout our world. 
We will continue to stand by them in the years ahead.
  To the men and women of the Minot Air Force Base, you and all who 
came before you have faithfully served our

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country and lived up to your motto, ``Only The Best Come North.'' Every 
day, you go to work carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, 
willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms and keep 
us safe. Thank you for all you do to make America great.

                          ____________________