President Donald Trump signed the defense appropriations bill on Friday, providing $674 billion to fund military operations in fiscal year 2019, which begins on Monday, October 1st.
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) says this is a big win for not only our country, but Montanans: “When our military is strong the world is safer. Importantly, the military assets we have in Montana play a really critical role in defending our nation and this funding that was approved by President Trump today is going to help strengthen and enhance that.”
U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) also praised the bill: “After 17 years at war, it is time to rebuild our military. I worked with republicans and democrats to deliver a new fleet of helicopters for the airmen at Malmstrom, strengthen the C-130 mission at MANG, and give our troops the largest pay raise in nearly a decade.”
Here’s a breakdown of where some of that funding will go:
- $414 million for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (Minuteman replacement)
- $258 million for the UH-1N “Huey” replacement helicopter, expected 2021
- $12.9 million increase to update communication equipment at Minuteman Missile Launch sites
- $5 million increase to replace outdated equipment at civil engineering units, such as Malmstrom’s 819th Red Horse squadron
- 2.6% pay raise for military personnel
