releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D88A3A2D-57B1-47A0-AD5B-B98F63A50917
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D88A3A2D-57B1-47A0-AD5B-B98F63A50917 | Heitkamp Meets with Air Force Leader to Fight for Future Missions at Grand Forks Air Force Base | 2016-12-22 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | GRAND FORKS, N.D. – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp and Grand Forks community leaders hosted Air Force Chief of Staff General David Goldfein at Grand Forks Air Force Base on Wednesday to reinforce the importance of the base to U.S. national security, to highlight the military value provided by its RQ-4 Global Hawk and High Frequency Global Communications System missions, and to emphasize its potential for future missions. Base Commander Colonel Rodney Lewis, Mayor Michael Brown, and other state and local leaders also highlighted the national security importance of the base to General Goldfein at the dinner. Prior to the event with General Goldfein, Heitkamp met on Tuesday with leaders from Grand Forks Air Force Base and the community to discuss efforts to strengthen the base. “Showing Air Force leaders what an asset Grand Forks Air Force Base is reinforces that Grand Forks is an ideal candidate for future missions,” said Heitkamp. “As General Goldfein has seen this week, Grand Forks Air Force Base is leading the way in remotely piloted aircraft with the strong support of the Grand Forks community and private sector. Grand Forks is a proven leader in areas that are really the future for the Air Force, which is why I’m continuing to push Air Force leaders to understand that the base is the right fit for Arctic missions and additional remotely piloted operations down the road. Now General Goldfein has had the chance to also hear from leaders in Grand Forks about what an asset the base and community are to the Air Force.” Earlier this month, Heitkamp helped the U.S. Senate pass the National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes U.S. Department of Defense funding levels and helps set defense policy – including several provisions Heitkamp pushed for to support Grand Forks priorities. Long a champion of improving national security through innovative remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) solutions, Heitkamp successfully included a provision in the recent defense authorization to track the success rate of those technologies in border security missions along our northern, southern, and coastal borders. Heitkamp also helped support strong funding for Global Hawks flown by the 69th Reconnaissance Group at Grand Forks Air Force Base, as well as MQ-9 Reapers operated by the North Dakota Air National Guard. After urging the new U.S. Northern Command leader in June to visit Grand Forks, Heitkamp this month also secured a commitment from Air Force General Lori Robinson to visit the base and review its activities. Heitkamp invited General Robinson, who also leads the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), so that she can see the base’s potential for Arctic missions and its innovation in remotely piloted aircraft operations and training up close. Heitkamp has consistently fought to support both of North Dakota’s bases, and is a cofounder of the Senate Defense Communities Caucus. In February, she congratulated Grand Forks when the community won the Great American Defense Communities award, which Heitkamp formally endorsed Grand Forks for given the community’s exceptional support for the base. Heitkamp also honored Grand Forks for the award at a reception in Washington. In February, Heitkamp stressed that Grand Forks Air Force Base is uniquely suited for RPA missions and Arctic missions that will bolster national security as General Herbert “Hawk” Carlisle, the official who oversees the base’s Global Hawk mission, visited Grand Forks. Heitkamp has long supported Grand Forks Air Force Base, including efforts to promote: The Global Hawk Mission: In February, Heitkamp spoke with General Herbert “Hawk” Carlisle, who oversees the remotely-piloted Global Hawk missions, before he visited the base to stress that Grand Forks is ideal for Global Hawk and other missions. The 69th Reconnaissance Group at Grand Forks Air Force Base flies combat support missions as well as training and sensor operating missions. Arctic Missions: Heitkamp successfully amended the defense authorization bill Congress passed last year to improve the military’s Arctic strategy and make Grand Forks attractive for future Arctic missions. The bill required DOD to submit a report on protecting national security in the Arctic region. Heitkamp’s amendment strengthened the report and positions Grand Forks to play a significant role in Arctic missions. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |