Tanker 
operations have officially ended at Grand Forks AFB, N.D., with the departure of the 319th Air Refueling Wing’s final KC-135 Stratotanker. The wing will inactivate the base’s 905th Air Refueling Squadron, 319th Maintenance Group, and 319th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron on Dec. 31, bringing to an end 50 years of KC-135 activities at the base. Air Mobility Command vice commander Lt. Gen. Vern Findley flew the wing’s final KC-135 to McConnell AFB, Kan., on Dec. 4, completing the tanker drawdown. As part of BRAC 2005, Grand Forks will assume a new role: operating RQ-4 Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft. The first Global Hawk is due to arrive next summer. “As Grand Forks turns the page, it will continue to play a critical role” in joint operations, stated Findley. (Grand Forks Dec. 6 report and Dec. 3 report by A1C Rachel Waller)
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3