Central ND News

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven announced today that the U.S. Air Force is introducing cold weather special duty pay for eligible Airmen and Guardians assigned to bases where the temperature is expected to drop below minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, including Minot Air Force Base, Grand Forks Air Force Base, and Cavalier Space Station in North Dakota. The Air Force is scheduled to implement the pay beginning July 1, 2024, and will announce specifics regarding the incentive pay amount, as well as other details closer to that date.

"Congress authorized this special pay to help our servicemembers and their families shoulder financial burdens unique to living in colder temperatures, including winter clothes and snow tires," said Hoeven. "We’ve been pressing the Air Force to provide this cold weather pay and will continue working to ensure that the Air Force implements this policy in a way that meets the needs of those serving our country at bases in Minot, Grand Forks, and Cavalier."

Last month, Hoeven sent a bipartisan letter, led by Senator Lisa Murkowski, to U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall pressing the Air Force to implement the cold weather special duty pay, which is a result of provisions Hoeven supported in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to authorize special duty pay for cold weather locations and the 2024 NDAA, which clarified the parameters to qualify an area as a cold-weather location.

The cold weather pay is designed to help offset the costs of certain items, including cold weather gear, snow tires, engine block heaters, and emergency winter car kits. The initiative aims to alleviate financial burdens on servicemembers and their families living in extreme cold conditions, ensuring they can adequately prepare for and navigate the challenges of winter weather.

In conclusion, the implementation of cold weather special duty pay by the U.S. Air Force reflects a proactive approach to supporting servicemembers stationed in frigid climates and underscores the government's commitment to addressing the unique needs of military personnel in challenging environments.