Unmanned Aircraft in Grand Forks, North Dakota

NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2008

Contact: Don Larson or Don Canton
(701) 328-2200

HOEVEN: FIRST PREDATOR B UNMANNED AIRCRAFT ARRIVES IN GRAND FORKS, BIG STEP FOR NORTH DAKOTA

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today said the state is working to forge partnerships between Customs and Border Patrol, the Grand Forks Air Force Base, the North Dakota Air National Guard, the University of North Dakota and the city of Grand Forks to make the region a center for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) operations.

The Governor spoke this morning with Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Michael C. Kostelnik, Assistant Commissioner for Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine, regarding the scheduled arrival today of the first Predator B Unmanned Aerial System in Grand Forks. The General indicated that weather conditions along the flight route could delay the arrival.

Kostelnik said the Custom and Border Patrol UAS launch and recovery team will be located at the Grand Forks Air Force Base using their agents, as well as contract pilots. The general said they are working with UND Aerospace and the North Dakota Air National Guard to employ pilots for the northern border mission. The Grand Forks CBP air wing will be the first to fly unmanned missions over the northern border. The team will fly limited operations, which will be expanded as the program develops.

“The arrival of the Predator System on the northern border marks a milestone, not only for North Dakota, but for the nation,” Hoeven said. “We have forged strong partnerships and supported this mission with state resources. We will continue to support it as we work to establish Grand Forks as a leader for unmanned aerial systems operations.”

Last July, the University of North Dakota’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Center of Excellence and a team of global defense and aviation technology companies were awarded a nearly $50 million Air Force Contract. UND’s Center will help train pilots for the newest generation of the military’s unmanned aerial vehicles.

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