Press Releases
November 6, 2009
Conrad-Enzi Release Report on Importance of ICBM Force
Senate Coalition Report Shows Missile Force Crucial to U.S. Security
Washington – Senators Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Michael Enzi (R-WY) today released a comprehensive study on the importance of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) force to America’s national security. The 23 page report, entitled “The Long Pole of the Nuclear Umbrella,” concludes that ICBMs are the most stabilizing part of the nation’s nuclear triad and validates the need to maintain an ICBM force of 450 missiles.
“This study highlights why ICBMs are critically important to the security of our nation. It clearly finds that ICBMs are the most stabilizing and cost-effective nuclear delivery system the United States possesses,” Senator Conrad said. “ICBMs are fundamental to keeping America and our allies safe and secure.”
“The nation’s ICBM force is the most stable and secure element of our nuclear arsenal. Each of the Senators are proud that our states play a part in that security. This study shows that ICBMs are necessary to keep our country safe,” said Enzi.
The report was commissioned by the Senate ICBM Coalition. The detailed study makes the case for the role of ICBMs as part of the U.S. nuclear strategic triad, which consists of bombers, sea-based missiles and land-based ICBMs. According to the report, the Minuteman III ICBM force is the most stabilizing leg of the nuclear triad. ICBMs pose an insurmountable challenge to any adversary, they are widely dispersed, they protect the survivability of the other legs of the triad, they represent the most cost-effective delivery system the United States possesses, and their visible permanence offers the greatest assurance to our allies.
The report concludes that America’s nuclear deterrent remains central to national security. And that deterrent must be composed of the traditional triad, including 450 ICBMs, each armed with a single nuclear warhead. It would be unwise to eliminate any leg of the triad and a decision to cut below 450 missiles would put our entire nuclear posture at risk.
Senators Conrad and Enzi are the founders and chairmen of the Senate ICBM coalition, which works to protect the nation’s ICBM force. Additional members of the coalition include Senators Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Max Baucus (D-MT), Robert Bennett (R-UT), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), David Vitter (R-LA), John Tester (D-MT) and John Barrasso (R-WY).
The nation's ICBM force is made up of three wings deployed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, and Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota
