V. P. Pence well thank you, and please be at ease. Its an honor to be here with the men and women of Minot Air Force base in magic city, north dakota where every day the war birds, the rough riders, and everyone from team minot embodies the motto of Global Strike command. Deter, assure, and strike. You are the pride of the nation. Give yourselves another round of applause, would you please . [applause] v. P. Pence i want to thank secretary wilson for that kind introduction and for those inspiring words. Would you all mind giving the 24th United States secretary of the air force, an 11 year veteran of the air force, another round of applause . Secretary, we are grateful for your leadership. [applause] v. P. Pence let me also thank the commanders of the fifth bomb wing and the 91st missile wing for the hospitality they have shown us today. Their service to our nation, colonel Matthew Brooks and colonel colin connor, two incredible leaders. [applause] v. P. Pence also, it is a great privilege for me to be joined by three North Dakotans who are outstanding leaders who support this base and its mission. Give them a round of applause, would you please . Thank you. [applause] v. P. Pence and i bring greetings today from your commanderinchief, the 45th president of the United States of america, President Donald Trump. [applause] v. P. Pence you know, the good book tells us if you owe debts, pay debts. If honor, then honor. If respect, then respect. I stand before you today on behalf of your commanderinchief and on behalf of a grateful nation to pay a grant of a debt of gratitude to all of you who have stepped forward to her the uniform of the United States as such a time as this. I spoke to the president this morning shortly after i arrived on the base. Told him i would be ending the day with all of you and he said, tell them i love them and tell them were proud of every single one of them at Minot Air Force base. You know, the American People also cannot meet more proud of all of you. As President Trump has said in his words, you are the backbone of this country. You are the spirit of this nation in every sense. The airman of this air force base and all your fellow americans have volunteered to defend our freedom and way of life. You are the best of us and it is an honor to be with you all. We know most of you do not serve alone. The spouses and children and parents who support you and pray for you as you serve our nation deserve our thanks as well. Would you join me in thanking all the family members whose love and support and prayers makes your service possible . [applause] v. P. Pence you know, this year marks the 60th anniversary of the first unit to take flight from this field. The 32nd group. Every day since, Minot Air Force base has answered strategically and exemplified American Leadership in the skies. The base is a bedrock of Americas National security and stability across the wider world. The flight, you are the only military installation in america to host two of the three legs in the nuclear triad. Minot air force base is vital to provide strategic deterrence, Global Strike and combat support anytime, anywhere. In the twounit stationed here, embodies the mission. Like the giants on whose shoulders you stand, you prove every day that only the best come north. [applause] v. P. Pence the legendary fifth bomb wing dates back nearly a century. For 35 years it operated under continuous alert staff. It is remarkable to think about. Standing at the ready to fly anywhere in the world anytime to protect our people and defend our freedom. Today, the members are continually deployed across the world. Supporting our efforts in the global war on terror. Make no mistake about it america is safer and more secure today because you are the guardians of the upper realm. Since 1959, the airman served as nels,cas silent senti operating maintaining, and securing the most powerful weapons. You remain on continuous roundtheclock alert yearround to make sure our deterrent capabilities are ready at a moments notice. As your motto says, with the 91st missile wing at the helm, the United States is and will always be poised for peace. The success of the United States armed forces and the safety of the American People and our allies have long depended on the Nuclear Deterrence posture maintained here. Today, your vigilance and your strength are more vital and more important than ever before. As we speak, the world arguably is a more dangerous place than at any point since the fall of communism more than a quartercentury ago. That is life in the first nine months of this administration, President Trump has taken Decisive Action to make the Strongest Military in the world stronger still. The threats we face today mean that, once again, americas security and our very future depend on the airman of minot being ready and being prepared. It is a great honor for me to serve as Vice President , to a president who cares so deeply about that men and women of the armed forces of the United States, their families, and our veterans. I believe history will record President Donald Trump is the best friend that armed forces of the United States will ever have. Just look at what we have accomplished already. Our president has already signed the largest increase in defense spending in nearly 10 years. As we speak, we are working with the congress to pass the largest investment in our National Defense since the days of ronald reagan. Under this commanderinchief, the era of budget cuts to the American Military are over. [applause] v. P. Pence you can also be assured our administration is committed to strengthening and modernizing Americas Nuclear deterrent. History attests peace is through american strength. There is no greater elements of american strength, no greater force for peace in the world than the United States nuclear arsenal. This bedrock of freedom protects and assures our allies and it proves every day to the world the United States has both the will and the firepower to annihilate any existential threat to our people or homeland. I can assure you that President Trump is committed to ensure the United States maintains an Effective Nuclear deterrent that is capable of meeting the unpredictable threats of the 21st century and beyond. That is why earlier this year, the president directed the secretary of defense to conduct a comprehensive review of our Ballistic Missile defense and Nuclear Capabilities as part of the Nuclear Posture review and as a sign of his commitment to strengthen our deterrent secretary mattis visited this airbase a few short weeks ago. To see, as i did today, ill Nuclear Forces and to meet the men and women who operate than and maintain them. The findings from the Nuclear Posture review will be released in the months ahead. And under President Trumps leadership, we will make sure our Nuclear Deterrent is stronger than ever before. Modern, robust, flexible, resilient, and ready to confront any and all enemies of peace with rapid, effective and overwhelming response. And i will make you a promise. Under President Trumps leadership, we will rebuild our military. We are going to restore the arsenal of democracy and we will once again as a nation give our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guard the resources and the training you need and deserve to accomplish your mission and come home safe. That is my promise to every one of you and your families. [applause] v. P. Pence and with that renewed american strength, this president has made it clear america will stand with our allies and stand up to our enemies. In afghanistan as we speak, our commanderinchief is committing armed forces to remain against the taliban and other terrorist groups in the region until we eliminate that threat once and for all. President trump a few short days on notice when he announced our administration will no longer certify the Disastrous Iran Nuclear Deal and we will no longer tolerate tehrans support of global terrorism. Ourks to the courage of armed forces, in syria and iraq, isis is on the run. Three years ago, those barbarians celebrated in their selfdeclared capital of raqqa. They raised their black flags across the region as they began to perpetrate their unspeakable violence on innocent civilians. But thanks to the armed forces of the United States of america, those black flags do not fly in raqqa anymore. [applause] v. P. Pence just last week, american and allied forces liberated raqqa, and you guys were part of the historic victory. The great men and women of minot took the fight to isis in the air and on the ground, and i came to say thanks to the team here at minot for a job well done. [applause] v. P. Pence the b52s of the fifth wing responsible for 700 danger close strikes to support our coalition for freedom in the region. I know all of you know you could not have achieved those missions without the skill and hard work of your maintainers who kept the jets in the air day after day without interruption. So let me take a moment to thank all of you who just returned from that desert mission. The crews and maintainers and the families and loved ones who quietly bore the burden at home. Thank you to your bravery. Across syria and iraq the caliphate is crumbling. We will not rest, we will not relent, until we hunt down and completely destroy isis at its source. We will finish the mission you have been so vital to advancing. [applause] v. P. Pence in just a few days, President Trump will travel to another frontline of freedom. For so many of your fellow orces,s of the armed f you stand guard to protect our people, allies, and our way of life. The korean peninsula. In the face of ongoing threats and provocations by the regime in north korea, i can assure you the United States will continue to marshall economic and pressure to demand north korea abandon its nuclear and Ballistic Missile programs. While President Trump has made clear great strength and patience, all options are on the table. Our enemies should never doubt the capabilities of the armed forces of the United States of america. Anyone who would threaten our nation should know that america always seeks peace, but if were forced to defend ourselves or our allies we will do so with military power that is effective and overwhelming. And those gathered here at Minot Air Force base will play a Critical Role again. Now more than ever, your commanderinchief is depending on you to be ready. Stay sharp, mind your mission and your airmen, and be that credible deterrent that has ensured the security of the American People for generations. The brave men and women of Minot Air Force base may yet be called upon to be the instrument of american power. And if that day comes, we know you will be prepared. Bully. Bully v. P. Pence you know, it is deeply humbling for me to stand before you today. Before so many heroic americans. Because, you see, while i am the son of a combat veteran, im a proud father of an aviator in the United States marine corps. My life not take me into the uniform of the United States. But i have seen you all in action. Back in the spring of 2003, i traveled with the group of congressman to visit soldiers in operation iraq freedom. On our way back, i was inspired to visit the airmen station in at raf fairford in england. I will never forget the sight of seeing the last b52 lumbered down the runway and leap into the air on its way home to north dakota. I witnessed the power and professionalism of the airmen of minot firsthand. In america, we maintain peace through strength. And i saw that day just like i seen today you are americas strength. And know President Trump and i understand your Service Comes with great sacrifice, with long deployments, and hardship. But i want to assure you today that you do not bear the burden alone. You have the gratitude of a commander in chief, our entire administration, and your representatives in washington, and leaders in the congress who are standing with you and stand by you. Each and every one of you also carries with you the gratitude and pride of every american. And as the airmen of Minot Air Force base taste to the skies, let me say in one other way, i hope you also know that you never go alone. In one other way. The old book tells us that if yyou rise on the wings of the dawn, if you go up to the heavens, even there, his hand will guide you. His right hand will hold you fast. So as you take to the airs, as you take a stand for freedom, just know that you go on the wings of grace. And the grateful prayers of the American People who pray every day for gods protection as you serve and as you defend this nation and our freedom. So to the men and women of Minot Air Force base, on behalf of your commanderinchief and a grateful nation, thank you for your service. Thank you for your vigilance. May god bless you. God bless your families and your mission, and may god continue to bless the United States of america. [applause] cspan. Where history unfolds daily. I 1979 cspan was created americas Television Companies and is brought to you today i your cable or satellite provider. Next a conversation with former cia director and army general david trias. Of a daylong conference on countering violent extremism. It is 40 minutes. Minutes. Hello, everybody. Speaker. S our keynote before general petraeus comes on stage is my pleasure to invite Brigadier General retired, congressman from nebraska to the podium, officer from the air force come and highly decorated aviator, specialized in electronic warfare, intelligence, and public