Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) at a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing questioned General Charles Brown, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, about bomber agile combat employment (BACE) capabilities in North Dakota, as well as the delivery status of MH-139A helicopters to Minot Air Force Base. Excerpts and full video are below.
Senator Cramer first highlighted the only two remaining BACE options between Michigan and Montana are located in Minot and Grand Forks. He emphasized the need to restore the width of the runway in Grand Forks.
“Grand Forks was a bomber base. It had a 300-foot-wide runway; it’s been reduced to a 150-foot runway based on movement of the lights. It’s due for improvement in 2025, and I’m wondering if you’d be open to looking carefully at widening that runway for BACE type of use in the future?” asked Senator Cramer.
“We can definitely look at that, particularly as you said that you’re already going to be doing some modifications. Any time you’re doing that, it’s probably a good time to take a look at it and make sure we do not miss any options to provide us opportunities and capabilities in the future,” responded General Brown.
He then discussed expediting the delivery of eight MH-139A helicopters, which will replace the UH-1s (“Hueys”) at Minot Air Force Base.
“[Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall] happened to be in Minot around Christmas time, so he saw those drafty old Vietnam-era helicopters our airmen, particularly security forces, have to use in Minot,” said Senator Cramer. “A couple of years ago, the delay in delivery was due to [Federal Aviation Administration] certification, as you no doubt recall and know that’s now done. We see there may be a delay again. I’m wondering if you have an update on the MH-139As and when we might expect to see them?”
“We just finished up the production development phase,” confirmed General Brown. “And then in FY24, we expect four of the MH-139s to start their initial operational testings. So, we’ll be beyond that FAA certification, and then that will help us start the path to follow on procurement to start fielding the aircraft.”
“Is four enough? Is there a way to escalate this, or any chance we could accelerate that? I’d even question whether the Hueys, the old ones, are mission-capable at this point,” responded Senator Cramer.
“We’ll always take a look to see if there’s ways to accelerate, bring you on a capability, and at the same time balance the risks as we bring that capability onto the force,” said General Brown.
Senator Cramer quipped, “Maybe one of the things that could help inspire you is a ride in February.”