DELEGATION PRESSES TOP AIR FORCE OFFICIALS TO EXPAND MISSION AT GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE

Delegation cites good infrastructure, strong community support

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

CONTACT: Justin Kitsch
or  Brenden Timpe
PHONE: 202-224-2551

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- Senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad and Congressman Earl Pomeroy met with top Air Force officials Tuesday to press them to expand the mission of Grand Forks Air Force Base.

The congressional delegation met with Gen. Arthur Lichte, Commander of the Air Mobility Command, and Brig. Gen. S. Taco Gilbert III, Director of Strategic Plans, Requirements and Programs for the Air Mobility Command. The Air Mobility Command is responsible for overseeing many of the Air Force’s support missions – including air refueling tankers.

The delegation expressed their disappointment over the Pentagon’s recent decision to cancel the tanker replacement program, indefinitely delaying the arrival of the next-generation tanker until a new administration can reconsider the process. The delegation also updated the officials on the excellent condition of Grand Forks Air Force Base’s infrastructure and its transition to an unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) mission. The outstanding personnel stationed at the base benefit from strong support from the community. Those factors, in addition to its history as an air refueling tanker base, make it an ideal location for the next-generation tankers that the Air Force hopes to deploy in a few years, the delegation said.

“I think we made some progress today as we pressed for an additional mission for Grand Forks. The Grand Forks Air Force Base has high-quality infrastructure, top-notch personnel, and a strong relationship with the community,” Senator Dorgan said. “It also has a strategic location that is ideal for air refueling tankers – especially given the Air Force’s decision to bring another squadron of B-52s to Minot Air Force Base. We’ll keep working with Gen. Lichte, Brig. Gen. Gilbert and other Air Force officials to push for another mission for the Grand Forks Air Force Base.”

“General Lichte reiterated again today the strategic importance of Grand Forks Air Force Base and the opportunities for long-term growth at the base,” Senator Conrad said. “Plans remain on track for Grand Forks to take on a new UAS mission and we will continue to work with the Air Force to prepare the base to be the home for the next generation of air refueling tankers.”

“We had a very productive meeting with Gen. Lichte and Brig. Gen. Gilbert today about future missions for Grand Forks Air Force Base,” Congressman Pomeroy said. “With its first-rate infrastructure and personnel that are among the best in the Air Force, Grand Forks Air Force Base is in a prime position to receive the next-generation air refueling tanker. I look forward to continuing to work with Air Force leadership to ensure that this new tanker is based in Grand Forks.”

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