North Dakota Air Force base to lead future intelligence missions

Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota will lead future Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance missions, the U.S. Air Force said Thursday.

U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall approved the construction and renovation plan for the 319th Reconnaissance Wing based at Grand Forks AFB "to develop and train crews" for future ISR missions, according to a press release.

The Air Force will plan in 2022 for construction and renovation projects at Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, slated to start in 2023, according to the announcement.

Additionally, the branch plans to budget for construction and renovation projects during 2023-2026 to support future 319th RW missions.

The Air Force said it is restructuring ISR capabilities to meet national defense priorities for all-domain command and control capabilities.

"We're excited to provide vital strategic capabilities to the joint force," Col. Timothy Curry, 319th RW commander, said in a press release. "Grand Forks AFB will remain central to the Air Force core ISR mission today and in the future."

The plan includes expanding the 319 RW's number of operation units, such as E-11 Battlefield Airborne Control Node aircraft mission at Robins AFB in Georgia, starting next year.

The Air Force's fiscal year 2022 budget is also seeking "divestment of the Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System and RQ-4 Block 30 aircraft, to fund modernization and increase capability to counter threats posed by near peer competitors like China and Russia," the release said.

"As these new missions take shape, Grand Forks AFB's 319th RW will continue to operate RQ-4 Block 40 aircraft through the last 2020s," Air Force officials said.