Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., co-chair of the Senate Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Coalition, commented Monday following a briefing on the Quadrennial Defense Review by General James Cartwright USMC, Commander of the U.S. Strategic Command.
“The 500 Minuteman III missiles located at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne and bases in Montana and North Dakota provide security for our nation, our men and women overseas, and all our citizens. The Minuteman III missiles are the cornerstone of our ICBM force. The missiles are always manned, always ready. This is without a doubt a deterrent to America’s enemies.
“On September 19, 2005, we saw the final Peacekeeper Missile taken off-line at F. E. Warren. This was an important note in our missile power history. It marked the end of a nuclear legacy, but we should not, so soon after ending this program, rush into further cuts in our missile force structure. We should move our missile force forward into the future, making our next generation of missiles better able to defend the next generation of Americans against the threats they will face.
“I support the Department of Defense as they proceed with the finalization of the Quadrennial Defense Review.”
Every four years the Department of Defense is required by Congress to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of all elements of national defense strategy and the structure of our defense. The report is known as the Quadrennial Defense Review.
“The 500 Minuteman III missiles located at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne and bases in Montana and North Dakota provide security for our nation, our men and women overseas, and all our citizens. The Minuteman III missiles are the cornerstone of our ICBM force. The missiles are always manned, always ready. This is without a doubt a deterrent to America’s enemies.
“On September 19, 2005, we saw the final Peacekeeper Missile taken off-line at F. E. Warren. This was an important note in our missile power history. It marked the end of a nuclear legacy, but we should not, so soon after ending this program, rush into further cuts in our missile force structure. We should move our missile force forward into the future, making our next generation of missiles better able to defend the next generation of Americans against the threats they will face.
“I support the Department of Defense as they proceed with the finalization of the Quadrennial Defense Review.”
Every four years the Department of Defense is required by Congress to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of all elements of national defense strategy and the structure of our defense. The report is known as the Quadrennial Defense Review.
