Grand Forks AFB to perform as NLSA Published March 27, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. Amanda Callahan 319th Air Refueling Wing public affairs GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Grand Forks AFB was recently tasked by U.S. Northern Command to act as the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Logistics Staging Area. As such, the base will provide temporary facilities to house commodities, equipment and personnel to aid in FEMA's relief efforts in the Red River Valley. "We are 'all in' and poised to integrate and synchronize with our FEMA teammates in flood abatement for the communities within the Red River Valley," said Col. John Michel, 319th Air Refueling Wing commander. "The Warriors of the North are prepared to support any agency that is need of our assistance." In addition to officially tasked missions, members of Grand Forks AFB have volunteered more than 3,000 hours in the Fargo and Grand Forks, N.D., areas filling and placing sandbags to mitigate flood damage. "The men and women of Grand Forks Air Force Base have joined the local Red River Valley community in volunteering to support flood protection efforts," said Col. John Quinn, 319th Air Refueling Wing vice commander. "We are maintaining our mission capability while simultaneously allowing Airmen to be released from their duty sections to volunteer to support flood protection efforts."