Central ND News

Senator John Hoeven has announced the recent visit of a B-1B Lancer bomber to Grand Forks Air Force Base as part of preparations for the aircraft's upcoming move from Ellsworth Air Force Base. The base will start housing 17 of these bombers next year. This visit was conducted to test the fueling systems and facilities at Grand Forks to ensure they can accommodate the bomb wing during its temporary relocation.

Hoeven, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, has been instrumental in funding and advancing this relocation effort. He has advocated for Grand Forks' role in this mission to General Thomas Bussiere, head of the Air Force Global Strike Command, and Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. This initiative is part of Hoeven's broader efforts to enhance North Dakota's contribution to national defense, including unmanned missions in Grand Forks and Fargo and nuclear missions in Minot.

“This week’s visit of the B-1B aircraft to Grand Forks is an important step as the Air Force prepares to temporarily move the bomb wing,” said Hoeven. “Grand Forks Air Force Base has the capacity needed to house this and the wide variety of other missions we’ve worked to bring to this region due to our decades-long effort to invest in the base’s facilities, build up our expertise in aviation and unmanned aerial systems in the region and establish the one-of-a-kind Grand Sky business and technology park. Such efforts have enabled us to expand North Dakota’s role in our national defense, whether on the ground, in the air or up into space.”