Temporary Robins AFB RQ-4 beddown approved

Published March 30, 2026
78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --

The Air Force has approved the temporary move of the RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft from Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, to Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, beginning in April.

Airmen from the 319th Reconnaissance Wing will come with the aircraft to provide maintenance, logistics and personnel support operations while Grand Forks AFB's runway is repaired.

The 319th RW oversees the Air Force’s RQ-4 program, including the care and flying of these high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft. During the temporary move, RQ-4s will take off from Robins AFB, but Airmen at Grand Forks AFB will fly them by remote control. The information they collect helps senior leaders make decisions, supports NATO’s eastern defenses, strengthens deterrence in the Indo-Pacific and watches important areas around the world.

“Our 319th Airmen are using lessons learned from past moves to keep our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission running smoothly,” said Col. Alfred Rosales, commander of the 319th Reconnaissance Wing. “I am proud of how our team and our partners at Robins are working together to add this mission while keeping their current missions on track.”

Robins AFB and the RQ-4 enterprise already share a history. Robins was the first Air Force installation with an air logistics complex to receive an RQ-4 for paint and related depot work, beginning with an unmanned arrival in May 2017. That maintenance support, led by the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, helped keep the RQ-4 fleet ready for global operations.

The temporary move is expected to last through the summer. After the runway work is done, the RQ-4s will return to Grand Forks AFB.

“Team Robins is honored to support the 319th Reconnaissance Wing during this critical runway project,” said Col. Johari Hemphill, Robins Installation and 78th Air Base Wing commander. “From depot maintenance and paint work to hosting flying operations, Robins has been a trusted partner to the 319th RW for years. This beddown showcases the professionalism and flexibility of our Airmen and their ability to execute combat power around the globe.”

photo shows a paint stripped aircraft and two individuals sanding its wing — Temporary Robins AFB RQ-4 beddown approved

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Painters from the 402nd Aircraft Maintenance Support Squadron prepare for sanding work on an RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft June 2, 2017, at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. Robins was approved to host a temporary beddown of the RQ-4 from Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, while the installation's runway is being repaired. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tommie Horton)

Photo shows an Airman carrying chocks in front of an aircraft on the flight line — Temporary Robins AFB RQ-4 beddown approved

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. – Airman 1st Class Bryant Vides-Perlera, a crew chief assigned to the 319th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, pulls chocks beside a RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft as it’s towed across the flight line at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Oct. 23, 2020. In April 2026, the Air Force approved the temporary beddown of the RQ-4 aircraft from Grand Forks AFB to Robins AFB, Georgia, while the Grand Forks runway undergoes repairs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elora J. McCutcheon)