Central ND News

Senator John Hoeven concluded his statewide military tour in Fargo, North Dakota, where he met with the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo (FMWF) Chamber Military Affairs Committee and community business leaders. During his visit, Hoeven emphasized North Dakota's crucial role in national defense and the priorities he secured in the defense appropriations legislation, which includes a 3 percent increase in defense spending and a 5.2 percent raise for military members.

"North Dakota has always played a vital role in our national defense," stated Senator Hoeven. "Our Air Guard based here in Fargo is the best in the nation, with the Happy Hooligans’ Reaper mission more important than ever given events around the globe."

Hoeven highlighted the funding secured for mission upgrades for the Happy Hooligans, the North Dakota Air Guard unit based in Fargo, as well as advancements in defense research and development in Fargo. He mentioned the importance of maintaining military assets and providing the latest technologies for troops.

One of the key initiatives discussed by Hoeven is the upgrade of the Happy Hooligan’s Reaper mission to the Block 5, for which he helped secure $179 million in the FY24 Defense funding bill. Additionally, Hoeven addressed the Guard’s transition to the new MQ-9 Reaper Operations Center in Fargo and the repurposing of the old facility for the TRMC Sky Range Program.

Furthermore, Hoeven highlighted the significant funding allocated for defense projects in North Dakota, including $10 million for coatings research by Elinor Coatings and $9.8 million for Navy batteries and charging equipment by Packet Digital.

"Elinor is developing high-performance coatings and application technologies that will save taxpayer dollars and increase military readiness," Hoeven explained. "Packet Digital will continue to develop batteries and charging equipment for the U.S. Navy, with plans to establish a new battery cell production facility."

Senator Hoeven's efforts in securing funding for defense projects and emphasizing North Dakota's military contributions underscore the state's growing role in national defense and technological advancements in the field.