The 2,200 Total Force Airmen assigned to the 319th Reconnaissance Wing provide rapid combat support through mission support functions, mobility preparedness and continuous security to Grand Forks AFB, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Grand Forks International Airport and Cavalier Space Force Station located in Cavalier, North Dakota.
The 319th RW provides a decisional advantage to our warfighters and national leaders through support of our nation's RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 40 high altitude Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission. Ensures strategic command and control through the operation of the nation's High Frequency Global Communication System. Affords Combatant Commanders mission-ready Airmen anytime, anywhere. Provides airmen and families of the 319th RW team, to include geographically separated units and mission partners, with responsive, tailored and mission-focused support.
The 319th RW is organized into three distinct groups: the Operations Group, Mission Support Group and Medical Group. In addition, the Chief of Staff exercises day-to-day authority over several staff agencies that provide direct support to the Wing Commander.
The 319th OG oversees the infrastructure and support for the RQ-4 mission and is composed of employed-in-place pilots and sensor operators flying 24/7 RQ-4 missions across the globe. The 319th OG oversees two geographically separated units providing launch and recovery for RQ-4 operations. The GSUs include the 4th RS at Anderson AFB, Guam and 7th RS at Sigonella Naval Air Station, Italy.
The 319th OG also oversees the 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron at Warner Robins AFB, Georgia, a GSU operating the E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communication Node (BACN) a communications relay and gateway system providing military commanders with a versatile means of exchanging information between air, ground and maritime sources.
The 319th RW is one of two locations operating the High Frequency Global Communications System (HFGCS) that transmits and monitors signals and Emergency Action Messages globally for senior leader communications up to the President of the United States, and all DoD agencies. HFGCS signals can penetrate oceans, pass through hurricane walls, and signals can extend to the surface of the moon making this system the primary means of communication for U.S. contingencies and can transmit in severely degraded and hostile environments.
The 319th RW supports mission partners including the Space Development Agency (SDA), U.S. Space Force direct reporting unit, and the Test Resource Management Center’s (TRMC) SkyRange program.
SDA’s only Test and Checkout Center and second operating location, Operations Center North, will be located on Grand Forks AFB and will test, evaluate, and operate Low Earth Orbit satellites comprising the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The PWSA will provide the backbone for JADC2, providing connectivity and interoperability for joint, coalition and partner forces.
The SkyRange program will develop and integrate advanced sensors and capabilities and provide flight operations and maintenance for a fleet of manned and unmanned air-vehicle systems supporting hypersonic capability development. Their test architecture includes the MQ-9 Reaper and RQ-4 Global Hawk Block that allow real-time telemetry, multi-spectral full motion video, maritime range surveillance ad clearing, and the collection of real-time weather data to inform launch decision-making.
Read the full 319th RW Strategic Plan here.