Conrad Sees Air Force Structure Changes a "Mixed Outcome" for North Dakota

Press Release

Senator Kent Conrad today said the latest force structure decisions unveiled by the Air Force were a mixed bag for North Dakota, praising the announcement of a new intelligence mission at Hector Field, while noting the retirement of the C-27 fleet. The Senator stressed the need to maintain manned flying missions in Fargo, while expressing optimism that the timeline for determining basing for the next generation tanker could mean good news for Grand Forks Air Force Base.

"We know that the nation's fiscal condition demands that we identify savings wherever they can be found, including at the Department of Defense. So we must expect cuts to programs and missions we would like to see spared," Senator Conrad said. "We are encouraged that the Air Force will be establishing a new Intelligence targeting mission at Hector and that a timetable has been put in place for determining the home of the KC-46 Refueling Tanker."

Earlier this week, Senator Conrad met with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, in his Capitol Hill office to consider the Department of Defense budget ahead of this month's Senate Budget Committee Hearing on the same topic. Senator Conrad has already voiced his disagreement with the Department's proposal for a Base Realignment and Closure Committee (BRAC) round in 2013. The Senator argued that the 2005 BRAC has thus far failed to demonstrate proven savings, and more time is therefore required before considering any additional rounds.

General Dempsey and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta will appear before Chairman Conrad and the Senate Budget Committee for a hearing on Tuesday, February 28.

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