U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement on the signing of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by President Donald J. Trump.
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“We got good news today – President Trump just signed the NDAA that authorizes spending for our U.S. military. It’s also very important for Montana and our nuclear mission, and what the men and women who serve at Malmstrom Air Force Base do for our nation and our state. It’s a big win for Montana and a big win for our nation,” Daines said.
Daines secured several provisions in the bipartisan NDAA that are critical to Montana and the Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls. The provisions will preserve and protect Malmstrom’s mission while safeguarding national security for generations to come.
Earlier today, Daines was in Great Falls with community leaders discussing the benefits of the NDAA for Montana. Daines was joined by Great Falls Mayor Bob Kelly, Montana Defense Alliance Chairman David Weissman, Great Fall Chamber of Commerce President Shane Etweiller, Great Falls City Manager Greg Doyon, Cascade County Commissioner Jim Larson, and 1st Liberty Credit Union President Steve Grooms.
Highlights of Montana Wins in NDAA:
- Service members stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base will receive a 2.6% pay raise.
- $69.4 million increase for the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) program, which is scheduled to replace the Missleman III missiles at Malmstrom, and requires the Air Force to increase staffing at the GBSD to ensure the project stays on schedule.
- Full funding for the UH-1N Huey replacement at President Trump’s requested level of $288 million, which provides greater flexibility for the Department of Defense to conduct research on elements of the nation’s nuclear triad system, of which Malmstrom’s Intercontinental Ballistic Missile mission is a key component.
- Montana National Guard will now be able to assume full responsibility for the entire Limestone Hills Training area.
- $9 million was authorized to extend the Air National Guard aircraft ramp at Great Falls Airport. This project will convert infrastructure formerly designed to support F-15 fighter jets, to better accommodate the 120th Air Wing’s C-130H cargo planes.
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