For many decades the United States Air Force has had a big presence in North Dakota: Grand Forks AFB and Minot AFB.
In the past year or so, a second squadron of B-52s were brought to Minot AFB. Although not quite as big a story as the Bakken it does bring additional revenue into North Dakota. In this Minot Press story, it is about a new dormitory for the base.
This is a pretty mundane story in the big scheme of things, but for me it brings back wonderful memories. In another life, I was fortunate enough to have flown in a B-52 out of Grand Forks AFB. It was an eight-hour flight, flying low level over (and through) the Rocky Mountains.
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Meanwhile, the lead story, in the Fargo Forum, is .... drum roll.... drum roll .... the interview with Bristol Palin. The Fargo Forum bills itself as "North Dakota's #1 news website!" Oooo-kay. The reason I bring this up: I, too, was having trouble finding any news in the oil patch this morning. I guess "we" are all taking a collective breath after all the news this past week: a) price of oil well over $80. (Now trending back down.); b) North Dakota sets new record for number of active drilling rigs (153); c) updates on Hess planning to drill Bakken-like wells near Paris, France; and, d) all the new oil drilling permits being issued this past week.
