Grand Forks AFB Downsizing -- Eastern North Dakota -- Nothing To Do With the Bakken

Grand Forks AFB continues to downsize.

Privatizing the housing is not new; the Air Force has been doing this for years.

What is surprising to me is how small the base is getting in terms of personnel (compared to when I was assigned there, 1980 - 1983).

Data points:

• The base will demolish 286 existing housing units; units remaining: 547 single-family homes
• Since 2006, active duty has declined from 2,450 to 1,200
• Since 2006, civilian workforce has declined from 3,000 to 1,000

I can only assume the economic effect on Grand Forks has been significant, but gradual over time.

Grand Forks AFB is transitioning from a military tanker mission to an unmanned aircraft systems mission.