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 inme