Hoeven courts new

Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., urged a top U.S. Air Force commander Tuesday to base a new refueling tanker mission at Grand Forks Air Force Base.

During a meeting with Gen. Raymond Johns, Hoeven offered his support for the Air Mobility Command’s global mission and pushed for basing new air refueling tankers at the Grand Forks base while continuing support for its new unmanned aerial systems mission.

The Grand Forks Air Force Base’s KC-135 Stratotanker mission for the past 50 years ended in early December.

In a written statement, Hoeven said Johns is doing an “outstanding job” for the country as the Air Mobility Command provides support for U.S. troops and allies around the world.

“I know he holds Grand Forks Air Force Base in high regard, and I look forward to working with him on a tanker mission and also continued support for our UAS mission at the base,” he wrote.

The Grand Forks Herald is owned by Forum Communications Co.

Tags: grand forks, news, hoeven, military