The Grand Sky unmanned aircraft systems tech park would be an ideal site for an Air Force UAS pilot training program, Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., told a top Air Force general today.
The Air Force needs more pilots and crews to keep up with heavy demand for Predator and Reaper missions to help avert a pilot shortage, the senator told Gen. Herbert J. “Hawk” Carlisle, Commander of Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base.
“In our discussion with Gen. Carlisle, I highlighted our strong support for the Global Hawk as well as the Predator mission, and also underscored the point that Grand Sky is a perfect fit for training Air Force pilots in UAS operations,” Hoeven said. “I also invited him to visit Grand Forks Air Force Base to meet the outstanding personnel who operate and maintain the UAS at the base and see for himself just how suitable Grand Sky would be to train the next generation of Air Force UAS pilots.”
Earlier this month, Northrop Grumman, maker of the Global Hawk, signed a lease agreement that would make the aerospace and defense technology giant the anchor tenant in Grand Sky.
Hoeven also asked Carlisle to work with him and Grand Forks officials to complete the review of an agreement between the Grand Sky technology park and Grand Forks Air Force Base to provide for joint use of the base’s runway. The agreement is the next step toward full operations at Grand Sky.
Hoeven also met recently with General Atomics CEO Linden P. Blue and vice president and retired general Ray Johns of FlightSafety International to encourage them to consider Grand Sky as a site for their UAS flight training programs.
General Atomics is one of the world’s leading developers of high-technology systems ranging from airborne sensors to advanced UAS, including the Predator series UAS, which are based at Grand Forks Air Force Base.
