Hoeven Advancing New Space Operations Center That Will Bring 800 Guardians to Grand Forks Air Force Base

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Military Construction Appropriations Committee, this week worked to advance funding for the U.S. Space Force’s proposed $250 million Space Operations Center at Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB), with a senior Space Force official testifying the center will bring 800 Guardians to the base. Hoeven reviewed the president’s request to fund the center with Kathryn Kolbe, who oversees installations and logistics for the U.S. Space Force. Hoeven questioned Kolbe on the missions being performed at and manpower required for the Space Force’s requested $250 million Space Operations Center in Grand Forks. “The Space Force has requested in the military construction budget four highly classified, consolidated Space Operations facilities with the intent to geographically disperse and create resiliency with our existing space advanced systems and missions, but also to house new missions at these locations,” Kolbe responded. “We anticipate that these facilities will be housing approximately 800 guardians working 24/7 continuous, uninterrupted operations in support of our combatant commands.” “Clearly, Grand Forks is leading the way for our nation’s military communications and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. This $250 million Space Force Operation Center, which is only one of four in the country, will bring new and exciting missions to North Dakota with an anticipated 800 service members working round the clock to keep our nation safe. We look forward to working with the Space Force to fund this project through the annual appropriations process so we can start moving forward on design and construction,” said Hoeven. In addition to housing 800 Guardians, the proposed Space Operations Center will bring to Grand Forks: A more than 180,000 square foot center fully equipped as a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF). Highly-classified operations supporting both Space Force and National Reconnaissance Office. Through his role on the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee and Senate Military Construction Appropriations Committee, Hoeven is working to secure the funding needed to support the Space Force expansion in Grand Forks, with the design phase of the new facility expected to start later this year. -###-