Grand Forks, Eielson key to Air Force Future Total Force

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mitch Gettle
  • Air Force Print News
WASHINGTON --  If the Base Realignment and Closure recommendations released in May are approved, Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., and Eielson AFB, Alaska, will see some changes.

Both bases will play a strategic role in the Air Force's Future Total Force plan.

Grand Forks received the highest BRAC score for unmanned aerial vehicles of any Air Force installation within its region.

"Grand Forks provides a strategic presence in the north central United States and enjoys proximity to open airspace over sparsely populated areas," said Lt. Gen. Stephen G. Wood, deputy chief of staff for Air Force plans and programs.

"This makes it a highly effective location for our UAVs," General Wood said. "Establishing a cold weather UAV center is necessary to advance training opportunities and system development to ensure these vehicles can operate worldwide. Our strategic vision for Grand Forks is to become a home to a 'family of UAVs.'"

The proposed changes will form cooperation between active and Guard components.

"We would establish (an MQ-1) Predator Air National Guard unit at Fargo's Hector Field," General Wood said. "The initial configuration could be a split operation with the ground control and intelligence analysis functions located at a location selected by the North Dakota ANG and with the airframes and launch recovery element located at Grand Forks."

Changes at Eielson may also offer the Air Force an opportunity to take advantage of Future Total Force integration initiatives for emerging missions.

"Eielson provides immediate and easy access to a vast airspace and range complex -- a dwindling resource in other United States and overseas locations," General Wood said. "Access to this base is critical to the effective execution of future Cooperative Cope Thunder joint and coalition readiness exercises.

"Keeping Eielson open provides a strategic location to deploy to and operate from in any future contingency," he said.

"Realigning and retaining both these installations affords us the opportunity to take advantage of Future Total Force integration initiatives to capture highly skilled Airmen for emerging mission requirements," said Michael L. Dominguez, acting secretary of the Air Force.