His seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee has enabled Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) to push for—and get—committee approval for $18.2 million in military construction appropriations for 2008 for Minot AFB, N.D. In a statement, Dorgan says the money will go toward a new 144-room enlisted dormitory. He says, “This is an important investment that shows the commitment the Air Force has to maintaining Minot Air Force Base as a dual-mission facility for decades to come.” Minot has B-52 bombers and Minuteman III ICBMs. The Air Force wants to trim back its B-52 force but has yet to secure Congressional approval; it does have approval to cut one Minuteman squadron, but that will happen at Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
Airman 1st Class Marcus White-Allen concocted a story to cover up that he fired his M18 9mm pistol into Airman Braden Lovan’s chest, killing him on July 20, two Airmen from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., testified during separate courts martial proceedings on Oct. 30-31.
