Grand Forks Air Force Base
Assigned 1970-1972
Grand Forks AFB is located 14 miles west of the city of Grand Forks. Grand Forks has a population of close to 50,000 and is home of the University of North Dakota. Grand Forks is located in the Heart of the Red River Valley near the forks of the Red Lake River and the Red River of the North. The quality of life in this community has been ranked by Money Magazine as one of the top communities in the nation. Low crime, good schools and medical facilities, as well as great shopping, a variety of restaurants and short commutes are just a part of what make Grand Forks a nice place to live and raise a family.

1954 The Department of Defense chose Grand Forks as the site for a new installation.
5 Feb 1956 Contractors begin construction of the base.
8 Feb 1957 Air Defense Command (ADC) activated the 478th Fighter Group at Grand Forks AFB as the host unit for the base.
1 Sep 1958 Strategic Air Command (SAC) activated the 4133d Strategic Wing (Provisional) as a tenant unit at Grand Forks AFB.
15 Dec 1959 The Grand Forks Air Defense Sector of the North American Air Defense Command became operational with the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) System.
1 May 1960 The 18th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (FIS) was stationed at Grand Forks AFB with its F-101B Voodoos.
6 May 1960 The 905th Air Refueling Squadron (ARS) (Heavy), a unit assigned to the 4133d Strategic Wing, received its first KC-135A Stratotanker.
28 Dec 1960 The 478th Fighter Wing was activated under the ADC and became the host unit for the base.
29 Apr 1962 The 30th Bombardment Squadron, a unit assigned to the 4133d Strategic Wing, received its first B-52H Stratofortress.
1 Feb 1963 Strategic Air Command organized the 319th Bombardment Wing (BMW) (Heavy) at Grand Forks AFB. The 319 BMW became the host wing as the 4133 Strategic Wing inactivated and command of the base transferred from the ADC to SAC.
19 Aug 1964 Strategic Air Command activated the 804th Combat Support Group (CSG) as the host unit at Grand Forks AFB.
1 Sep 1964 Strategic Air Command stationed the 4th Air Division, later named 4th Strategic Aerospace Division, at Grand Fork AFB.
1 Nov 1964 The 321st Strategic Missile Wing (SMW) was organized at Grand Forks AFB and construction began on its Minuteman II missile complex.
Dec 1966 The 321 SMW became operational with the Minuteman II missile.
15 Apr 1971 Air Defense Command inactivated the 18 FIS.
30 Jun 1971 The 4th Strategic Air Division transferred to Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming.
1 Jul 1971 The 321 SMW assumed host unit duties from the 804 CSG.
30 Jul 1971 Air Defense Command stationed the 460th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, with F-106 Delta Darts, at Grand Forks AFB.
8 Mar 1973 The 321st Strategic Missile Wing completed an upgrade to Minuteman III missiles.
1974 The ADC inactivated the 460 FIS.
1986-1987 The 319th Bombardment Wing converted from the B-52G Stratofortress and KC-135A Stratotanker to the B-1B Lancer and KC-135R Stratotanker.
16 Jun 1988 Strategic Air Command transferred the 42nd Air Division (AD)to Grand Forks as the host support unit for the base.
9 Jul 1991 Strategic Air Command inactivated the 42 AD and appointed the 319th Bombardment Wing as the host unit for the base.
1 Sep 1991 The 319th Bombardment Wing was redesignated as the 319th Wing. The 321st Strategic Missile Wing was redesignated as the 321st Missile Wing (MW).
1 Jun 1992 The Air Force inactivated Strategic Air Command and reassigned Grand Forks AFB to Air Combat Command. The 319th Wing was redesignated as the 319th Bomb Wing. The 905 ARS was functionally reassigned to Grissom AFB, Indiana, although it continued to operate from Grand Forks AFB.
1 Jul 1993 The 321 MW was reassigned to Air Force Space Command.
1 Oct 1993 The Air Force redesignated the 319th Bomb Wing as the 319th Air Refueling Wing, reassigned it to Air Mobility Command, and reassigned the 905th Air Refueling Squadron to the wing.
1994 As part of restructuring at Grand Forks the Air Force reassigned the 906th, 911th, and 912th Air Refueling Squadrons to Grand Forks AFB.
26 May 1994 The last B-1B Lancer departed from Grand Forks AFB, marking the end of over 30 years of bombers at Grand Forks.
1 Jul 1994 Air Force Space Command redesignated the 321 MW as the 321st Missile Group (MG).
1 Oct 1995 The Clinton Administration approved the Base Realignment and Closure IV committee's recommendation to remove 150 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles from the Grand Forks Air Force Base missile complex and inactivate the 321 MG.
April 1997 After a harsh winter, the Grand Forks area suffered a devastating flood. Members of the Grand Forks Air Force Base were called into action, first to help protect the town from the rising waters and later to house the victims of the disaster.
2 Jul 1998 The 321 MG inactivated after 34 years of service at Grand Forks AFB.
6 Oct 1999 The first missile silo was imploded in accordance with the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).
24 Aug 2001 The last missile silo was imploded in accordance with the START Treaty.

The End of The Cold War

On Aug. 24 2001 the last implosion of a Minuteman III missile silo under the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty I occurred at silo H-22 near Petersburg, ND, approximately 36 miles from Grand Forks AFB, ND. The silo had been part of the former 321st Missile Group at Grand Forks AFB and which was deactivated in 1998.
UNIT HISTORY 18TH FIGHTER SQUADRON Courtesy of TSgt Dave Byrd, 354 Fighter Wing History Ofc Eielson AFB, AK
18TH FIGHTER SQUADRON (formerly Pursuit, 22 Dec 39-14 May 42; Fighter, 15 May 42-19 Aug 43; Fighter, Single Engine, 20 Aug 43-5 Mar 45; Fighter, Two Engine, 6 Mar 45-15 Aug 46; Fighter-Interceptor, 10 Oct 52-15 Apr 71; Tactical Fighter, 19 Sep 77-30 June 91; Fighter, 1 Jul 91-Present)
Lineage. Constituted 18th Pursuit Squadron (WD ltr AG 320.2, 14 Nov 39), 22 Dec 39. Activated 1 Feb 40 (same ltr). Redesignated Fighter Squadron 15 May 42 (WD ltr, AG 320.2, 12 May 42). Redesignated Fighter Squadron, Single Engine 20 Aug 43 (11 AF GO 7, 20 Feb 44 & WD ltr, AG 320.2, 31 Jul 43). Redesignated Fighter Squadron, Two Engine 6 Mar 45 (WD ltr, AG 322, 27 Feb 45). Inactivated 15 Aug 46 (HQ AAC, GO 26, 31 Jul 46 & WD ltr AG 322, 9 Jul 46). Redesignated Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 10 Oct 52 (DAF ltr 322, AFOMO 93h). Activated 1 Dec 52 (DAF ltr 322, Central Air Defense Force GO 40, 21 Nov 52). Inactivated 15 Apr 71. Redesignated 18th Tactical Fighter Squadron 19 Sep 77. Activated 1 Oct 77. Redesignated Fighter Squadron 1 Jul 91.
Assignments. 35th Pursuit Gp, 1 Feb 40; 28th Composite Gp, 8 Feb 41; XI Fighter Command, 15 May 42; 343rd Fighter Gp, 11 Sep 42; 31st Air Div (Def), 1 Dec 52; 514th Air Defense Gp, 16 Feb 53; 11th Air Div (Def), 1 Sep 54; 5001st Air Defense Gp, 20 Sep 54; 11th Air Div (Def), 1 Oct 55; 412th Fighter Gp (ADC), 20 Aug 57; 30th Air Division, 1 Apr 60; 478th Fighter Gp, 1 May 60; 78th Fighter Wg, 1 Feb 61;
Grand Forks Air Defense Sector, 4 Sep 63; 29th Air Division, 1 Apr 66; 28th Air Division, 19 Nov 69-15 Apr 71. 21st Composite Wg, 1 Oct 77; 343rd Tactical Ftr Gp, 15 Nov 77; 21st Tactical Ftr Wg, 1 Jan 80; 343rd Composite (ltr, TFW, WG), 1 Jan 82; 354th Operations Group, 20 Aug 93-Present.
Stations. Moffett Fld, CA, 1 Feb 40; Hamilton Fld, CA, 10 Sep 40-8 Feb 41; Elmendorf Fld, AK, 21 Feb 41; Ft Greely, AK, 18 Apr 42-23 Nov 42; Adak Island, AK, 6 Dec 42-12 Feb 43; Amchitka Island, AK, 15 Feb 43-28 Mar 44; Attu Island, AK, 28 Mar 44-29 Oct 45; Elmendorf Fld, AK, c. 6 Nov 45-20 Jun 46; Ladd Fld, AK, 20 Jun 46-15 Aug 46. Minneapolis-St Paul Intl Airport, MN, 1 Dec 52-10 Aug 54; Ladd AFB, 28 Aug 54; Wurtsmith AFB, MI, 20 Aug 57-27 Apr 60; Grand Forks AFB, ND, 1 May 60-15 Apr 71.Elmendorf AFB, AK, 1 Oct 77; Eielson AFB, AK, 1 Jan 82-Present.
Commanders. Cap (ltr LtCol) Norman D. Sillin, 1 Feb 40; 1Lt William A. Bowie, 5 Aug 41; 1Lt Charles A. Gayle, 13 Feb 42; 1Lt Eldon R. Fisher, 18 Feb 42; 1Lt John C. Bowen, 27 Feb 42; 1Lt Joseph S. Littlepage, 26 Mar 42; 1Lt Charles A. Gayle, 12 Apr 42; 1Lt John C. Bowen, 24 Apr 42; 1Lt Charles A. Gayle, 28 May 42; Cap Clayton J. Larson, 3 Aug 42; Maj Charles A. Gayle, 12 Sep 42; Cap Louis T. Houck, 18 Sep 42; Cap Joseph S. Littlepage, 2 Oct 42; 1Lt Albert S. Aiken, 29 Oct 42; Cap Clayton J. Larson, 10 Nov 42; Cap William H. Booth, 5 Apr 43; Cap (ltr Maj) George L. Hicks, 31 Jan 44; Maj (ltr LtCol) Dean Davenport, 13 Sep 44; Maj Glenn K. Oberst, 25 Jul 45; 1Lt Harry K. Holtzinger, 31 Oct 45; NONE, 1 Feb-17 Jun 46; Cap Ralph L. Kipper, 18 Jun-15 Aug 46. Maj John H. Rogers; c. Dec 52; LtCol James T. Weldon Jul 56; Maj Merrill E. Roberts, Feb 57; LtCol John M. Patton, by Jun 58; Maj Dwaine L. Weatherwax, 16 Jul 59; LtCol Raymond S. Brown, 14 Aug 59; LtCol James M. Fogle, 1 Jul 60; LtCol Frederick L. Webster, 9 Jan 63; LtCol J. Robert Lilley, 10 Jun 66; LtCol David B. Ballou, by Oct 68; LtCol Kenneth A. Shealy, 6 Jun 69-15 Apr 71. LtCol Roger K. Schmitt, 1 Oct 77; LtCol Louis C. Tronzo, 26 Jul 78; LtCol James M. Hinkle, 1 Jan 80; Lt Col Robert H. Price, 26 Jun 81; LtCol Charles W. Parker, 1 Jan 82; LtCol Roland C. Potter, 23 May 83; LtCol Charles C. Higgins, 23 Jun 83; LtCol Bernard H. Fowle, IV, 26 Mar 85; LtCol Gerald R. Yarger, 4 May 87; LtCol Robert R. Woods, 27 May 88; LtCol James P. Hogan, 25 May 90; LtCol Randall L. Sage, 10 May 91; LtCol Jeffrey G. Fee, 18 Dec 82; LtCol Thomas A. Oram, 28 May 93; LtCol Chase J. Johnson, 9 Jul 93; LtCol Kenneth C. Schow, 10 Jul 95-Present.
Aircraft. P-36, 1940-41; P-40, 1941-45; P-39, 1943; P-38, 1943-46; P-51, 1946. F-51, 1952-53; F-86, 1953-54; F-89, 1954-57; F-102, 1957-1960; F-101, 1960-71; T-33, 1960-71. F-4E, 1977-81; A-10, 1982-1991; F-16C/D, 1991-Present.
Operations. The 18th Fighter Squadron participated in combat operations in the Northern Pacific, and in the defense of Alaska during World War II. Redesignated the 18th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron in 1952, the squadron began operations at Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport as part of Air Defense Command's continental defense forces. In July and August 1954, the 18th moved to Ladd AFB, Alaska, where for three years it carried out air defense operations within the Alaskan Air Command, winning the Command Rocketry Meet in 1955.The 18th transferred to Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan, in August 1957, and transitioned to F-102s. In November 1959, the 18th established four new rocketry records in competition at Tyndall AFB, Florida.
From May 1960 until inactivated in 1971, the 18th operated from Grand Forks, North Dakota, as part of the Air Defense Command's interceptor force. The 18th activated in 1977 at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, flying F-4Es for the tactical air defense of Alaska Air Command's area of responsibility. The squadron moved to Eielson AFB, Alaska, without personnel or equipment, on 1 Jan 1982. At Eielson, the 18th's mission became one of close air support, first flying the A-10 Thunderbolt and in 1991 converting to F-16C and D Falcons.
Honors. Service Streamers. None. Campaign Streamers. WWII: Aleutian Islands; Air Combat. Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: (Six) 1 Jun 62-31 May 64; 7 Jun 66-8 Jun 68; 1 Jan 78-31 Dec 78; 1 Jan 83-30 Jun 84; 1 Jan 88-31 Dec 89 (AAC SO GB-028, 9 Apr 90); 1 Jul 90-30 June 92 (PACAF SO GB-058, 17 Dec 92).
Emblem. On a yellow-orange disc, within an annulet of the field, a caricatured blue fox in front of a white lightning flash
issuing from chief, stalking across a white cloud formation in base, outlined black, while holding a black aerial machine gun, proper, under the right foreleg; two small, jagged, red flashes emitting from machine gun muzzle toward base, as per record
drawing. Slightly modified to present form in 1978: An updated gattling gun is now braced against the left side of the fox'
chest, and is shooting to dexter-base rather than sinister-base. The fox himself is now facing dexter instead of sinister.
Significance: The fox is used symbolically for his qualities of intelligence and cunning in seeking out and attacking his enemies
and for his perseverance in preservation and protection of his species. Like qualities are essential in carrying out the fighter
mission. Original significance of blue fox: indigenous to Southern Alaska. (Emblem Originally approved 10 Nov 44, negative number
K65318).

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