When Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz visited Minot Air Force Base yesterday, they delivered a message.

That message was that the Minot base was valued as a critical component in the nation's nuclear aresnal and defense structure.

And the state's congressional delegation thinks there were other messages delivered too - messages that indicate a solid future for the base.

Jim Olson has more from the Minot Air Force Base.

When six nuclear warheads were mistakenly loaded onto a B52 bomber at Minot Air Force Base last year and flown across the country with on one's knowledge or the proper security - it was widely seen as a black eye for the Minot base, for the Air Force, and for the US military in general. Dozens of people lost their jobs - all the way up to the bomb wing commander, Secretary of the Air Force, and Chief of Staff.

(Robert Gates, US Sec. of Defense) "The serious lapses of last year were unacceptable."


But it's possible that incident may lead to a beefed-up role in control of the nation's nuclear weapons for Minot Air Force Base. Defense Secretary Robert Gates addressed more than one thousand airmen at the Minot base on Monday, saying the nuclear mistake was the culmination of a long slide in nuclear safety.

(Robert Gates, US Sec. of Defense) "This critical mission and the career field associated with it did not receive the attention, the funding, or the personnel it deserved."


Gates detailed the steps taken since that August, 2007 incident - an incident he termed unacceptable - designed to make sure no such mistake is made again. Among the changes? Placing all B52 bombers and land-based missiles under one, new, Global Strike Command. A command that could end up right where the mistake that precipitated its formation happened - Minot Air Force Base.

(Voice of: Sen. Byron Dorgan, (D) ND) "Minot is one of five bases to be considered for that command"


North Dakota Senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad flew in to Minot with Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz Monday. And took the opportunity to push for Minot as the logical home to the Global Strike Command, and other new missions related to nuclear weapons.

(Sen. Kent Conrad, (D) ND) "We also talked about the nuclear weapons school that might be located here. And the nuclear munitions maintenance facility."


(Rep. Earl Pomeroy, (D) ND) "The Minot Air Force Base is viewed as one that very confidently can play a significant role going forward."


All of the state leaders who joined in Monday's tour at the base say Minot Air Force Base is a natural choice for the nuclear command - a command formed because of the mistake that happened fifteen months ago at this very base. At Minot Air Force Base, Jim Olson, KX News

Cam 2 A decision on where the Air Force will locate the new Global Strike Command is expected in the spring. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list