Press Releases
February 19, 2007
Senator Leads Top Level Talk on Tankers
Conrad Briefs Community Leaders on Future of GFAFB
Grand Forks — Senator Kent Conrad led a briefing today with community leaders to discuss recent developments regarding Grand Forks Air Force Base, including the potential for basing the new generation of air refueling tankers at Grand Forks.
"The future is looking bright for Grand Forks Air Force Base," Senator Conrad said. "The key lies in blending continued tanker operations with a cutting edge mission operating UAVs. Those are the missions the Air Force intends for Grand Forks. Those are the missions I will work to put into action."
Senator Conrad briefed members of the Grand Forks Council on Military Relations and Col. Diane Hull, commander of the 319th Air Refueling Wing on his talks with the Air Force on plans for the new tankers, currently designated as the KC-X. Grand Forks is already slated to begin receiving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in two years.
Grand Forks Air Force Base is currently home to the 319th Air Refueling Wing, which flies and maintains 38 KC-135 Stratotankers. The Air Force intends to replace the nation's half-century-old fleet of KC-135s with the KC-X. Competition for the contract to build the first 179 of the new tankers opened last month; aircraft are expected in 2011. Current plans call for more than 500 new tankers.
Senator Conrad, the founder of the Senate Tanker Caucus, has urged the Air Force to accelerate plans for the KC-X and to base some of the new tankers at Grand Forks. He recently met with Gen. Duncan McNabb, of Air Mobility Command, and Gen. Michael Moseley, Air Force Chief of Staff, in an effort to win support for basing the new tankers at Grand Forks. Pentagon leaders told Senator Conrad they believe Grand Forks is very well positioned to be one of the first bases to receive the next generation tanker.
Senator Conrad also briefed the community leaders on the acquisition of UAVs. Earlier this month, the President released his proposed budget for fiscal year 2008 which explicitly designates the Grand Forks air base as a Main Operating Base for Global Hawk UAVs. The budget requests $877 million for the procurement of five new Global Hawk aircraft.
"I am extremely proud of Grand Forks Air Force Base and the performance of the men and women who serve here. From our talks at the Pentagon, we know that Grand Forks is in a good position to become a dual-mission base, and that's good news," Senator Conrad said. "I will continue to make the case for Grand Forks, and for the Warriors of the North."
