Cramer Emphasizes the Importance of Nuclear Triad Modernization, Airborne ISR During Senate Committee Hearing

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) held a hearing today to consider the nomination of Elbridge Colby to be the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, a key position responsible for shaping U.S. defense strategy and guiding the Pentagon's policy priorities.

During the hearing, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) questioned Colby on the importance of modernizing the nation’s nuclear triad and deterrence, and maintaining airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

North Dakota has nearly 70 years of nuclear deterrence experience. As a North Dakota native, Cramer said he has watched nuclear deterrence work up close at Minot Air Force Base (AFB), the only base to have two legs of the nuclear triad with 50-year-old Minuteman IIIs and 70-year-old B-52s. Cramer explained his extensive exposure to the processes, not just the systems, and also the work of the airmen who protect, fly, and operate the vehicles.

“The year I was born, the first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) was invented, and two years later the first one was installed at Minot, North Dakota,” said Cramer. “The Minuteman I and the Minuteman III came along after some time, and of course we also have 70-year-old B-52 bombers. Both of those vehicles carry nuclear warheads, and Minot Air Force Base contains and protects a large majority of nuclear material in our arsenal.”

The Sentinel ICBM will replace the Minuteman III and is key to protecting the nation’s nuclear deterrent capabilities and maintaining the country’s Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD). Cramer acknowledged the Sentinel program has faced challenges, but reiterated its importance. He asked Colby if he would commit to advising the President and Congress, “that we really do need to have that deterrence that has worked so well for so long, that not a single ICBM with a nuclear warhead has had to be fired.”

“I do commit to advising the support for the ICBM, and the triad, and the land-based leg, and the Sentinel program as well,” responded Colby. “Obviously, there are concerns about the health of the program, so if confirmed, that would be a priority […]. But certainly, you have my commitment.”  

Over the last couple of years, the U.S. Air Force has been shedding legacy airborne ISR platforms without sufficient new capabilities to replace them. Despite the demonstrated need for ISR, Cramer said he is seeing “an escalation of shedding by the United States Air Force, particularly modern ISR.” He asked Colby about how he views the importance of ISR, and his level of commitment to overseeing it.

“I think that airborne ISR is very important, especially for its own reasons, but also because we cannot solely rely on the space-based layer,” said Colby.