WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) spoke to the Commander of U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) nominee Lieutenant General Glen VanHerck about Over The Horizon Radar testing at a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Hearing today.
“Anything that enhances our domain awareness capability is going to be crucial,” said Lt. Gen. VanHerck.
Senator Cramer toured Camp Grafton in Devils Lake, North Dakota, last August and received an update on the Over the Horizon Radar. The Senator met with Lt. Gen. VanHerck last week to discuss his nomination.
During the hearing, Senator Cramer also spoke to U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) Deputy Commander and SPACECOM Commander nominee Lieutenant General James Dickinson. They discussed the importance of the Air Force Station in Cavalier.
“The data that comes from [places like Cavalier] is absolutely critical,” said Lt. Gen. Dickinson.
Senator Cramer - who met with Lt. Gen. Dickinson last week as well - also brought up the importance of the United States having an Arctic Strategy, the creation of a Space Guard, and the role the University of North Dakota (UND) could play as Space Force develops a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC).
“North Dakota is a Northern Tier state with important assets and talent. We are well positioned to defend the Arctic and play a role in space,” Senator Cramer concluded.