Central ND News

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota has revealed a plan for cold weather pay at military bases in the state. The initiative, directed by the Senator's authorization committee, will introduce Assignment Incentive Pay for eligible Airmen and Guardians stationed at locations where temperatures drop to -20 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Bases in North Dakota such as Minot Air Force Base, Cavalier Space Force Station, and Grand Forks Air Force Base are included in this plan.

Senator Cramer, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed his support for the Air Force's decision, stating, "Well, we North Dakotans know dealing with our winters is not a joke. We need snowblowers to clear our driveways and we have to have emergency supplies in our vehicles in case we get caught in a blizzard, and most of us try to avoid that obviously. This announcement today from the Air Force really follows through on our intent to make sure our Airmen and Guardians, who serve in places like Minot, Grand Forks, and Cavalier are properly compensated for the significant added winter expenses."

The implementation of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act authorized special duty pay for members stationed in cold-weather locations, aiming to support Airmen and Guardians by covering the costs of extreme cold weather gear. This additional payment will assist personnel at these bases with expenses such as all-season and snow tires, tire mounts and alignments, engine block heaters, and emergency winter car kits.

The Assignment Incentive Pay is set to be put into effect on July 1, 2024, providing relief to servicemembers stationed in cold weather regions. In a collaborative effort, Senator Cramer, along with Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and John Hoeven, sent a letter to the Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall in March, advocating for the implementation of cold weather pay. This compensation aims to facilitate a better quality of life for military members and their families residing in cold weather locations nationwide.