911th inactivation first step in base transition

  • Published
  • By Capt. Mike Chillstrom
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The 911th Air Refueling Squadron here was inactivated June 8 during a formal ceremony at the Northern Lights Club, ending another chapter in the squadron's storied history.

Recognized by the Air Force Historical Research Agency as the 47th most historically significant squadron out of 847 Air Force units, the 911 ARS inactivation was received with mixed emotions by many who attended the ceremony. 

"This is truly a bittersweet day for the 911 ARS Red Eagles and the 319th Air Refueling Wing," said Col. Bobby Fowler, 319th Operations Group commander. "This is the first major change in the wing's structure and the first visible sign of the 2005 BRAC [Base Realignment and Closure] decision results." 

During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Patrick Sullivan relinquished command of the squadron. The unit's guidon was sheathed, where it will stay until the 911 ARS reactivates next year under the 916th Operations Group at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., as part of Air Force Reserve Command. 

Colonel Sullivan assumed command of the 911 ARS shortly before the 2005 BRAC decision, but quickly needed to adapt his mission focus and concentrate on both the flying mission and shutting down the squadron, Colonel Fowler explained. 

"[Colonel Sullivan's] done a great job. He is a combat leader... and the Red Eagles truly thrived under his command. The squadron's flown over 15,000 flying hours, with at least half of that in combat over Iraq or Afghanistan," Colonel Fowler said. 

In his address to the audience, Colonel Sullivan drew comparisons of the World War II-era "Greatest Generation" with today's generation of servicemembers, which he dubbed the "Next Greatest Generation." 

"Listen to what General Eisenhower said at Normandy on the 20th anniversary of D-Day," Colonel Sullivan said, "'It's a wonderful thing to remember what those fellows were fighting for and sacrificing for, and what they did was preserve our way of life. Not to conquer any territory, not for any ambitions of our own.' Those same words could be said about any of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines today." 

The 911 ARS inactivation may be transparent to many people on base and in the community, but it represents the first of many tangible changes at Grand Forks AFB.

BRAC at Grand Forks AFB

Earlier this year, the wing transferred four KC-135 aircraft to MacDill AFB, Fla., as part of the 911 ARS inactivation. The squadron's remaining aircraft were distributed among the wing's three other tanker squadrons. Personnel assigned to the 911 ARS were either absorbed by other squadrons on base or transferred to new duty stations. 

The next transfer of base aircraft isn't scheduled until 2009, when the 912 ARS and 906 ARS will be inactivated. The lone remaining squadron, the 905 ARS, is scheduled to transfer its 12 tankers and close down in late 2010. 

In the meantime, Air Combat Command officials are busy firming up plans to bring MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft to Grand Forks AFB in a move that would create an associate active duty unit here with the 119th Wing (North Dakota Air National Guard). ACC is also aiming to bring larger RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft here. 

During the ACC BRAC Site Action Task Force visit in May 2007, a team of functional experts studied the base, looking at how they'll coordinate the arrival of an Unmanned Aircraft Systems mission with the coinciding departure of the KC-135 mission. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, is also exploring the possibility of operating unmanned aircraft out of Grand Forks AFB. Military and DHS officials are still discussing the idea and hope to reach a final conclusion soon. 

Another wrinkle in the base's future surfaced in February 2007, when Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. T. Michael Moseley, indicated that Grand Forks AFB was among a handful of bases being considered for the KC-X, the Air Force's next generation of tankers. In March 2007, a site selection team from Air Mobility Command evaluated the base's infrastructure and facilities for a possible future tanker mission. 

No announcement about where KC-Xs will be based is expected anytime soon. Air Force senior leaders have tagged the KC-X as the service's number one acquisition priority. Currently, Air Force officials are reviewing aerospace industry proposals for the KC-X program. An announcement about the winning KC-X design may be made later this year.