02.26.13

Hoeven Makes the Case for Grand Forks, Fargo With Commander of Air Mobility Command

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today met with General Paul Selva, Commander of the U.S. Air Force’s Air Mobility Command (AMC), to make the case for Air Force priorities in Fargo and Grand Forks. General Selva took over as AMC Commander in November and oversees the Air Force’s fleet of cargo planes and aerial refueling tankers.

“It’s important for General Selva to understand how much value the communities of Fargo and Grand Forks provide the Air Force,” Hoeven said. “I wanted to make sure he understands that we are committed to supporting long-term Air Force missions, including the new tanker mission in Grand Forks and a manned flying mission for the Air National Guard in Fargo. These missions make sense for the Air Force and they make sense for North Dakota.”

The Air Force has announced that Grand Forks Air Force Base is one of four installations under consideration to host the KC-46, the Air Force’s new aerial refueling tanker. As the AMC Commander, General Selva said he will advise the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force on which of the four finalists would provide the greatest military benefit to the Air Force. The Secretary and the Chief of Staff will make the final decision based in part on advice from the AMC Commander.

“I emphasized to General Selva that Grand Forks Air Force Base is an important strategic location that shortens the time it takes for the Air Force to deploy to the other side of the globe,” Hoeven said. “I also reiterated to General Selva that Grand Forks, as a former tanker base, has the infrastructure and community support necessary to take on the KC-46 mission.”

The Air Force is sending site survey teams to each base being considered to host the KC-46. A site survey team is visiting Grand Forks Air Force Base this week.

Senator Hoeven continued to press for the C-27 mission with General Selva. The 119th Wing currently has the Predator as well as the C-21 mission, which is currently scheduled to be completed at the end of Fiscal Year 2013. The Air Force is recommending an intelligence gathering mission for Fargo combined with the Predator.