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News Release — Byron Dorgan, Senator for North Dakota

DORGAN MEETS WITH AIR FORCE SECRETARY ON GRAND FORKS UNMANNED AIRCRAFT, MINOT BOMBER MISSIONS

Senator wants to create Air Force UAV pilot training center at Grand Forks

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

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

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) met with U.S. Air Force Secretary Michael Donley today, pressing him to consider Grand Forks Air Force Base for a new unmanned aircraft pilot training center, and discussing the plan to bring a new squadron of B-52 bombers to Minot Air Force Base.

Dorgan, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, met with Secretary Donley in Dorgan’s Capitol Hill office.

Dorgan said Grand Forks Air Force Base, with its new UAV mission and its proximity to the nation’s premier flight school at UND, would be a perfect place to train the next generation of UAV pilots. The lack of UAV pilots is a significant issue facing our nation’s military.

“Grand Forks is emerging as a significant hub of UAV activity with the new mission at the Air Force Base, the Northern Border Air Wing branch, and the UND flight school and center for UAV research,” Dorgan said. “This would be an ideal location for a training center for the Air Force’s pilots. It would solve a pressing Air Force need and give a boost to Grand Forks and the Red River Valley Research Corridor. Secretary Donley said he would look at the idea closely, and I’ll continue to press him on this issue.”

Dorgan also asked Secretary Donley for an update on the plan to base a new squadron of B-52 bombers at Minot Air Force Base. The new planes and personnel will begin arriving later this year. The Air Force expects the squadron to bring hundreds of new personnel to Minot Air Force Base.

“I asked Secretary Donley about the new squadron at Minot Air Force Base, and he assured me he is confident the plan is on track,” Dorgan said. “Minot is a strong base with strong community support, and the new housing projects going up there are evidence of the commitment the Air Force has to maintaining its key role in our national defense. Secretary Donley appreciates that role and promised to continue working with us to ensure Minot Air Force Base has all the resources it needs.”

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