For those that were there, did you enjoy your time at the Grand Forks AFB?

PFC Al Sethre — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 11:12:51 -0400

I'm from Grand Forks, and I've never really talked to many airmen here.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 15 at 2015 11:29 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 11:29:11 -0400

PFC Al Sethre I recommend that you tag "Grand Forks AFB" and "Grand Forks, ND" for this discussion.

Response by MSgt Matthew Meindl made Sep 15 at 2015 11:35 AM

MSgt Matthew Meindl — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 11:35:15 -0400

Yes. Was a great time maintaining the Minuteman III missiles with a very good group of professionals. Is sad to see how many of the old landmarks on base that have been removed other than the static displays.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Sep 15 at 2015 12:51 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 12:51:27 -0400

Yes, I enjoyed it from 1998-2001, as a Tanker pilot. Not sure I would have liked it if I were single...a girl behind every tree and all.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2015 2:19 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 14:19:49 -0400

Never been there myself, but some friends of mine that have been there actually enjoyed it. Other than the cold they didn't have many bad things to say about it.

Response by A1C Lisa Casserly made Sep 15 at 2015 2:43 PM

A1C Lisa Casserly — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 14:43:13 -0400

I still live in the Greater Grand Forks area. I have heard a lot of complaints about GFAFB, about the lack of things to do. I suppose if you are into clubbing and night life, you might be SOL. There isn't that much of that around here... The usual bars and night spots, of course, but its not like you would expect to find in a city like New York or Los Angeles. But, if you like outdoorsy sort of things, like hunting and fishing, camping and hiking, then there is a fair amount to do. And of course in the 30 years I've been here, things have gotten to be more urban. Or, if you are like me, and can make your own fun, or do quiet things like reading and crafting and such, then it was fine. Also, my family's home town is just 3 hours down the road, so it was nice for me. I also liked that the crime rate is very low. You can still leave your car full of shopping with the doors unlocked, and expect to come back and find all your stuff right where you left it. You can leave your keys in the car and the car running at the gas station while your run in to pay, and expect your car to still be there. So, all in all, I think there are worse places out there!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2015 11:33 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 23:33:49 -0400

I was stationed at El' Forko Grande flying tankers in the now defunct 905th ARS. I hated my first two years there. I started to tolerate it my last year and a half. I lived downtown over the Urban Stampede coffee shop. The thing I did not like was the whole baser vs towner, attitude. The older people liked us because they saw as a money stream. The younger college students thought tat everyone that was in the AF was some sort of second class citizen. As for relationships. Yeah lots of one night stands mostly with visiting Canadians. Relationships were difficult as the college girls did not have life experiences. The town lacked a young professional post collegiate single female population. My understanding was that any girl who became a professional after college left for the big life in Minniapolis or left for the first time to states beyond the Red River. Near the end the Townes excepted me mainly because I did not wear my service on my sleeve. Then I moved to Las Vegas, where bring a military pilot was respectable amongst the population.

Response by TSgt Melissa Post made Sep 16 at 2015 1:47 AM

TSgt Melissa Post — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 01:47:33 -0400

I visited the base when I first got to minot since one of my bmt brothers was stationed there. I actually liked grand forks better than minot at first because they had more things in town. But now I think I like them equally.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Sep 16 at 2015 1:59 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 01:59:00 -0400

I'm from Finley, ND only about a stones throw away. Never been stationed but I have been on the base a couple of times. It's a lot like Whiteman is to me, fairly small and quiet a lot of times which for me is perfect. The BX is really small and kind of feels like it lacks a bit though. Otherwise it's easy to navigate and obviously it's close to GF and UND for those that want to take courses. Grand Forks itself seems to be doing better in recent years too with the mall growing and actually getting some good stores inside, I think the Scheel's store moving in helped.

Not sure what kind of operations really go on with the air field anymore ever since they dropped the tankers. I did know a guy who was Security Forces there. If I remember right he didn't mind the base but I know he said he didn't care for his shop at the time. One of his friends was the cop that had to shoot that suicidal tech sergeant a few years back on base and from the sound of it his friend was still dealing with repercussions and flak from the shop as a result even several years after.

Response by MSgt John Grollimund made Sep 16 at 2015 8:56 AM

MSgt John Grollimund — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 08:56:24 -0400

Well.. been here since 2001. Active duty until 2013, now a DoD Civilian. Good place to raise a family, complete education, and perfect for the outdoors enthusiasts.

Response by Maj Jeff Dodd made Sep 29 at 2015 9:53 PM

Maj Jeff Dodd — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 21:53:08 -0400

I was assigned Grand Forks AFB as my first duty assignment at the age of 18. I worked in the missile fields and was exposed the rural ND while on duty and Grand Forks proper on my days off. While the people seemed nice enough, I was not impressed with the area overall in terms of things to do off-duty for a young person. I did what most single airman did on their days off- take college classes from the education center and once a month or so drive to Winnepeg Manitoba to let off steam and enjoy that sweet sweet Canadian lager. I was never able to befriend any UND college students while there, but that could have been fun. I put in for code 88, world wide remote assignment preference, within two months of arriving on station because the job and area were so depressing to me. One of my friends from tech school committed suicide during the first few weeks of arriving on station. He had emotional issues before arriving and the isolation and dreadful weather didn't help out his situation. I think if you grow up in the northern states or the Midwest, you might see the charms of Grand Forks but I struggled to find the bright side. Selfishly, I joined the Air Force with the hopes of being stationed in Europe or the Far East. I made it as far as Turkey and Saudi Arabia on active duty. But, much like being deployed to a crappy part of the world (ie sand box, etc) it's usually the people you serve with who make the assignment or deployment memorable. I have fond memories of my time spend at Grand Funk because of the friends and people I served with-some of whom I stay in touch with 20 years later.