News Releases for January 2008
January 15, 2008
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Hoeven: Air Force Roadmap Outlines Strong Potential For North Dakota Bases
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Air Force will release a new strategic roadmap for emerging weapons systems tomorrow at noon eastern time. The plan has strong provisions for North Dakota air bases and the Air National Guard, according to Hoeven.
“The report contains excellent prospects for North Dakota, and the N.D. Air National Guard, who do an outstanding job for our state and our nation,” Hoeven said. “The missions outlined in the report represent the future of our military. They are important not only for North Dakota, but also for our country.”
The “Roadmap” plan lists three sites in North Dakota; the air forces bases in Minot and Grand Forks and the Air National Guard base in Fargo. Grand Forks AFB is listed to receive the MQ-1 Predator and Global Hawk, as well as the new KC-X air refueling tanker. Minot AFB is listed to potentially receive the “next-generation bomber.”
The Air National Guard base at Hector International Airport in Fargo is listed in the plan for the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial system (UAS), which the unit began operating in July 2007 and the new Joint Cargo Aircraft, expected to be available in 2012. Hector is the home of the 119th Wing, the “Happy Hooligans. In addition to the MQ-1 Predator UA, the N.D. Air National Guard also has a C-21 Lear Jet mission, which a bridge mission for the 119th Wing until the arrival of the Joint Cargo Aircraft.
Hoeven’s office, the Air National Guard, and the Governor’s military task force, TF-MIND, have worked hard to support military missions at North Dakota military bases, and the governor lobbied for North Dakota missions in the last BRAC round.
“Although it’s early in the planning stages, there are strong assignments here for North Dakota,” Hoeven said. “We’ll be working closely with the Air Force, our Air Guard, and our congressional delegation as the Air Force continues to develop these options.”
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