Great Falls Tribune: Daines asks AF to use Guard helicopters for nuclear security
While the Air Force is making a decision about replacing UH-1N Huey helicopters at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Sen. Steve Daines has requested that the Air Force consider using National Guard helicopters in the meantime. The Montana Army National Guard has eight UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters based at Fort Harrison in Helena, and Daines, R-Mont., has asked the Air Force to consider using those to augment the existing Hueys at Malmstrom. The helicopters are used by the 40th Helicopter Squadron, which provides security in the missile field and can move quick reaction teams into the field if necessary. They also
CQ: Lawmakers: Call in National Guard to Protect Nuclear Missiles
Lawmakers are pressing the Air Force to use National Guard helicopters as soon as possible to protect nuclear missile facilities that are potentially vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Defense Department officials acknowledge that an aging fleet of nearly three dozen UH-1N Huey helicopters — a 911 force in the northern Great Plains —lacks the speed, range and payload capabilities to respond effectively if U.S. missile launchers were attacked. The Air Force conceded this week that the Pentagon still does not know how or when it will come up with a strategy for procuring more than $1 billion worth of helicopters to
Daines Tours VA Equine Therapy Center in Helena
U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines today toured the Montana Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Equine Therapy Center in Helena and learned about how the program helps veterans across Montana. Daines recorded a video of his experience. Click here to view: Click here to watch the video Click here to download the video Click here to download the picture Daines was joined by members of his Veteran Affairs team at the Montana VA Equine Therapy Center to learn more about the program and its work to help veterans with service-related illness. The Montana VA Equine Therapy Center is the only center of its kind
Inside Defense: Senate lawmaker seeks clarity from Air Force on GBSD time line
Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) has requested a meeting with Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James to discuss the milestone A review for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent System, congressional sources told Inside the Air Force this week. Daines previously questioned why the Air Force had not reached its milestone A decision for the Minuteman III’s replacement during an April 20 Senate Armed Services Committee hearing with Pentagon acquisition chief Frank Kendall. Kendall assured Daines that GBSD’s timeline remains on track, but that his office was waiting on an independent cost estimate, a legal prerequisite to declaring milestone A. “So I have to
Sen. Daines: The lasting legacy of late U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns
With the news of Conrad Burns’ passing late last week, Montanans lost a member of the family. From across the state, prayers were offered for Phyllis and the Burns family and fond memories were shared. Conrad was a dedicated husband to Phyllis and father to Garrett and Keely. He was an auctioneer, a high school referee, an agriculture broadcaster and founder of Northern Ag Network, a county commissioner, a U.S. senator and always a U.S. Marine. He loved his family, he loved Montana and he loved his country. And last Thursday, Burns passed away with his boots on — active
Great Falls Tribune: Great Falls facility name changed to honor Medal of Honor recipients
President Barack Obama has signed legislation changing the name of the Armed Forces Readiness Center in Great Falls to the Capt. John E. Moran and Capt. William Galt Armed Forces Reserve Center to honor the Montana men who received the Medal of Honor. Both houses of Congress passed legislation for the name change earlier this spring. Moran served in the Army’s 37th Infantry during the Philippine-American War and was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1910 and died in Great Falls in 1930. Galt of Great Falls served in the Army’s 34th Infantry during World War II and was awarded
Daines Introduces Timber Innovation Act
U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines today joined a group of bipartisan Senators in support of a bill that would help accelerate research and development of tall wood buildings in the United States. The Timber Innovation Act will focus on finding innovative ways to use wood in the construction of buildings above 85 feet in height or roughly seven or more stories. “Innovative technology is creating new markets for Montana’s abundance of wood,” Daines stated. “I’m proud to champion legislation that will create jobs in Montana by encouraging the increased use of wood in tall buildings, which is an exciting opportunity for
Montana Congressional Delegation Congratulates Polson Student on U.S. Air Force Academy Appointment
U.S. CONGRESS – Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Representative Ryan Zinke congratulated Polson High School senior Nathan Young on his appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Young was nominated to the academy by the entire Montana Congressional delegation. Young is a senior at Polson High School and the Student Government Vice President. He is also captain of his Lacrosse team and an Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts of America. Young volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, he’s the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Huddle Leader, Chairman of Fundraising for his National Honor Society Chapter and participated in
Daines’ Resolution to Celebrate Nation’s Teachers Passes Senate
U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines this week celebrated and honored teachers by introducing a resolution to commemorate National Teacher Appreciation Week, the week of May 2, 2016. This week the resolution passed the Senate unanimously “During National Teacher Appreciation Week, and every day, I want to thank my first grade teacher Mrs. Hahn for teaching me how to read at Longfellow Elementary School in Bozeman. She truly believed in her students and gave me the confidence to succeed as a young child,” Daines stated. “Our teachers are tireless public servants who support, inspire and cultivate the next generation of Montana leaders.” Daines invites