GA-ASI Relocates MQ-9 Operations to Fargo Airport During Grand Forks AFB Runway Construction

GA-ASI Relocates MQ-9 Operations to Fargo Airport During Grand Forks AFB Runway Construction

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has temporarily relocated its flight operations from Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB) in North Dakota due to ongoing runway construction — an arrangement that highlights the growing maturity of unmanned aircraft systems and the strength of regional cooperation.

Construction Drives Operations South by ~130 km

GFAFB serves as the home of GA-ASI's Flight Test and Training Center. With the base runway undergoing construction, GA-ASI officials sought approval to move MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) operations to Fargo Hector International Airport, located approximately 80 miles (130 km) to the south. The flights are conducted through the Fargo Jet Center, a fixed-base operator (FBO) at the airport — making this one of the rare instances of a commercial airport regularly hosting large-scale unmanned aircraft flight operations on an ongoing basis.

GA-ASI President: MQ-9 Increasingly Comparable to Manned Aircraft

GA-ASI President David R. Alexander said: "As MQ-9s continue to evolve, they are increasingly approaching manned aircraft equivalency, with remote pilots having the same level of situational and traffic awareness as an airliner pilot. We are very grateful to the team at Hector Airport and Fargo Jet Center for accommodating us and making sure our routine training missions are not disrupted."

GA-ASI's air operations in North Dakota are primarily focused on training pilots and crew members to operate MQ-9 aircraft via radio and satellite links, as well as testing new onboard systems. Because pilots remain in continuous contact and the aircraft are equipped with a range of safety support systems, air traffic controllers at Hector International Airport are able to manage the drones in the same manner as conventional aircraft.

A Milestone: First Non-Government MQ-9 Operations at a North Dakota Commercial Airport

Fargo's airport already hosts routine MQ-9 flight operations by the North Dakota Air National Guard's 119th Wing. However, GA-ASI's company-owned MQ-9s now operating from the Fargo Jet Center represent a new milestone — the first time a non-U.S. government MQ-9 has conducted operations at a North Dakota international airport.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) division, which also flies MQ-9s out of Grand Forks AFB, has similarly reached an agreement with the Fargo Airport Authority and Fargo Jet Center to temporarily operate its MQ-9 missions from Hector International Airport during the construction period.

Dave Fulcher, AMO Director at the CBP Grand Forks National Air Security Operations Center, stated: "Air and Marine Operations deeply appreciates the tremendous support of Fargo Jet Center, the North Dakota Air National Guard, and the Airport Authority in enabling our MQ-9 operations to continue. This partnership is critical to our law enforcement mission and helps protect our borders and communities."

Multi-Party Collaboration Underscores Regional Agility

The temporary relocation demonstrates the flexibility of regional stakeholders, all of whom agreed that runway renovation should not interrupt critical MQ-9 missions.

Jim Sweeney, President of Fargo Jet Center, commented: "Fargo Jet Center is honored to be part of this historic collaboration between GA-ASI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Hector International Airport. North Dakota has always been at the forefront of the unmanned aircraft systems industry, and we are proud to host the teams driving this exciting and innovative work."

Shawn Dobberstein, Executive Director of Hector International Airport, also expressed pride in supporting the mission: "This is another chapter in North Dakota's leadership in unmanned aircraft systems operations. Integrating additional MQ-9 flight missions alongside commercial airline and general aviation activity demonstrates the innovative spirit and strong partnerships that are driving the future of aviation in our region."

Operational Timeline: April 21 – September 30, 2025

The temporary relocation began on April 21, 2025, and is expected to conclude by September 30, 2025, when construction work on the runway at the Flight Test and Training Center and Grand Forks Air Force Base is scheduled to be completed.

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