WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, released the following statement today after Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan visited Offutt of Air Force Base: 

“I appreciate Deputy Secretary Shanahan’s visit to STRATCOM today. His trip to Offutt is another example of this administration and senior leaders at the Department of Defense, in particular, recognizing the importance of STRATCOM’s mission areas. From underground missile silos to satellites orbiting thousands of miles above the earth, the men and women at STRATCOM continue to provide unique and increasingly critical capabilities for the defense of our nation.”

The Subcommittee on Strategic Forces has jurisdiction over U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base. 

Additional Background: 

Last Thursday, Secretary of Defense James Mattis testified before the House Armed Services Committee during a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization budget request from the Department of Defense. During his testimony, Secretary Mattis said, “Modernizing the nation's nuclear deterrent delivery systems, including our nuclear command and control, is the department's top priority and these programs are fully funded in the fiscal year 2019 budget.”

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