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911th Air Refueling Squadron to inactivate

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The 911th Air Refueling Squadron on Grand Forks AFB will be officially inactivated during a ceremony scheduled for 9 a.m. June 8 at the Northern Lights Club here. \

This inactivation is one of the base's first steps in realigning due to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure announcement. 

The 911th Air Refueling Squadron flies KC-135 aircraft in support of worldwide aerial refueling and airlift operations. 

The squadron's lineage can be traced back to 1917 as the 16th Aero Squadron at Kelly Field, Texas. Since 1937, the squadron has had more than 10 different aircraft assigned to it, including the B-17, B-29, KC-10, A-17 and more. 

The 911 ARS was relocated to Grand Forks AFB from Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., April 29, 1994. Since then, it has deployed in support of Operations Southern Watch, Provide Comfort, Deliberate Force, as well as many exercises, including Operation Northern Viking, a multinational exercise testing NATO's ability to defend Naval Air Stations Keflavik, Iceland. 

The squadron has also been involved in support of counter-drug operations in Panama. 

Since the events of Sept. 11, 2001, the 911 ARS has maintained a relentless pace in Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom while continuing to support diverse worldwide missions such as aeromedical evacuation and aircrew training. 

Most members assigned to the 911 ARS will be reassigned to one of the three other air refueling squadrons here, with some receiving orders to other bases.
The 911 ARS will be re-activated at Seymour Johnson AFB in 2008. 

The inactivation ceremony, June 8, will include a medal presentation and relinquishment of command. After Lt. Col. Patrick Sullivan, 911 ARS commander, relinquishes command. The squadron will be officially inactivated, and the squadron's guidon will be secured (instead of being passed on to a new commander). 

"Although we'll miss the Red Eagles of the 911 ARS, we know the squadron is moving on to Seymour Johnson AFB to continue its fine tradition of supporting our nation and its allies." said Col. Diane Hull, 319th Air Refueling Wing commander. 

"We also know that the wing has a very exciting future ahead of it, and that these changes will bring about a new, but just as important, mission for Grand Forks AFB."