Tag: Defense

Daines: Our Country’s Most Sensitive Data Can Be in the Hands of Our Enemies

“We must act more quickly and more nimbly than those seeking to wage a terrorist attack on our nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure.” WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, today emphasized the growing threat of a serious cyber attack from the Islamic State— including the potential to penetrate America’s vehicles, like the risk that spurred the recent recall from Fiat Chrysler.  “Recent news reminds us that we must also consider the security of the cars that are driving on our roadways. In fact, just in the past week news broke that Fiat Chrysler announced the recall

Daines Applauds Air Force Decision to Maintain RED HORSE Unit at Malmstrom

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today applauded news that the 819th RED HORSE squadron will remain stationed at Montana’s Malmstrom Air Force Base. “This is great news for Malmstrom, the Great Falls community and the state of Montana,” Daines stated. “The 819th RED HORSE unit at Malmstrom Air Force Base holds an important role in our national security and is a critical partner for the Montana Air National Guard’s 219th RED HORSE unit. I’m thankful that the Air Force has recognized the importance of maintaining an active RED HORSE unit at Malmstrom, but our work to protect this critical

Daines Announces Miles City Airport to Receive Grant to Rehabilitate Runway

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that Miles City’s Frank Wiley Field will receive $2.5 million to rehabilitate the airport’s runway and modernize its visual guidance system. The grant was awarded under the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP). “Safe and reliable air service is critical to the long-term economic needs of Montana’s rural communities, including Miles City,” Daines stated. “This grant will provide the Miles City airport with the tools needed to better serve the transportation needs of area residents.” The AIP was developed to promote the development and preservation of the nation’s airport system. Eligible

Daines Applauds Passage of Critical Defense Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today hailed the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which provides critical support for the nation’s military and national security. “This legislation is critical to ensuring our men and women in uniform have the funding and support they need to fulfill their missions,” Daines stated. “The NDAA prioritizes the needs of our service members while protecting the important role that Montana holds in our national defense.” Daines successfully included an amendment to the NDAA that would protect military couples from abrupt reductions in their housing allowances. Under the NDAA, current dual housing

Daines, Senate Appropriations Committee Move Forward Critical Montana Defense Priorities

Senate defense appropriations bills approved by committee, contains key provisions to support Montana defense priorities WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today helped move forward support for important Montana defense priorities in the Senate Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2016. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the bill today with a strong bipartisan vote of 18-3. “This bill is essential to funding our military,” Daines stated. “I’m proud that this bill contains critical funding for our national security and protects the important role that Montana plays in our national defense.”  With Daines’ support, the Defense appropriations bill contains several key provisions to support Montana’s military missions and national security interests, including: Protecting

KRTV: Tester and Daines working for C-130 upgrades for the Montana Air National Guard

GREAT FALLS -U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Steve Daines (R-MT) are working to keep the Montana Air National Guard flying.  During a recent meeting of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, Tester announced he was introducing legislation to make sure the C-130 fleet of the 120th Airlift Wing is upgraded.  Tester said, “My fear is we end up with a fleet of C-130s that is incapable of operating in domestic air space, and they will end up sitting on a runway somewhere until they are mothballed.”  The Federal Aviation Administration has set a deadline for the upgrades for 2020.  Tester’s

Daines Fights to Ensure Modernization of Montana’s Military Missions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines is fighting to ensure that the C-130s of the Montana Army National Guard (MANG) are mission-ready and fully modernized by 2020. During a Defense Appropriations Committee hearing on the President’s Fiscal-Year 2016 budget request for the National Guard and Reserve, Daines pressed Guard officials to ensure MANG’s C-130 planes are Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-certified and flyable by 2020. Daines conveyed ongoing concerns with the Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) and the lack of clear path forward for modernization by 2020. “We all have concerns with the Avionics Modernization Program that we will be FAA certified by 2020,” Daines stated. “What is

Daines Fights to Defend Critical Montana Military Missions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today called on the U.S. Air Force to prioritize the modernization of Montana’s critical military missions and take additional steps to address Montanans’ ongoing concerns regarding the proposed expansion of the Powder River Training Complex. This morning, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on the proposed FY 2016 U.S. Air Force budget. During the hearing, Daines pressed Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff General Mark A. Welsh for details about the Air Force’s plan to modernize the avionics of the Montana Air National Guard’s (MANG) C-130 fleet. Daines

Daines Statement on Confirmation of Ash Carter as New Defense Secretary

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the Senate confirmation of Dr. Ashton Carter as the next Secretary of Defense. “I look forward to working with Dr. Ashton Carter to protect American security interests both domestic and abroad, as well as ensuring that America’s nuclear capabilities remain the most advanced in the world and serve as an effective deterrent. As Secretary of Defense, Dr. Carter will be at the forefront of the United States’ response to significant international challenges—from the serious threat of ISIS to Russian aggression in eastern Europe. I hope that Dr. Carter

Daines Announces Appropriations Subcommittee Assignments

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has been selected to serve on five Senate Appropriations subcommittees. Daines will serve on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies; Defense; Interior, Environment and Related Agencies; State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies. Daines noted that the subcommittees’ focus will address a number of issues of great importance to Montana, including the management of public lands and support for Montana’s mission at Malmstrom Air Force Base by ensuring that our service members have