U.S. Customs and Border Protection has opened a new facility for its National Air Security Operations Center at Grand Forks Air Force Base. The new facility addresses the U.S. Air Force’s request for NASOC Grand Forks’ relocation to accommodate the expansion of the service branch’s Global Hawk operations, CBP said Wednesday.
USAF uses the Global Hawk and other unmanned aircraft systems to perform intelligence, security and disaster relief. NASOC conducts UAS training and supports missions such as law enforcement and emergency response. Congress approved $8M to fund the center’s relocation that occurred in an accelerated rate as required by USAF.
The facility also allows CBP’s Air and Marine Operations division to establish an organizational structure integrating both UAS and manned aircraft activities at Grand Forks AFB.
