--- title: "RQ-4 Global Hawk Drone Crashes Just Outside Of Grand Forks Air Force Base" description: "The high-flying unmanned aerial vehicle came down after returning from a sortie." date: "2021-08-06" modified: "2021-08-06" authors: - name: "Thomas Newdick" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick" url: "https://www.twz.com/41874/rq-4-global-hawk-drone-crashes-just-outside-of-grand-forks-air-force-base" categories: - "Air" - "Air Forces" - "Americas" - "Around The Globe" - "Drones" - "News & Features" - "Q-4" - "U.S. Air Force" - "U.S. Homeland" - "Unmanned" tags: - "Accidents" - "Crash" - "drone crash" - "Grand Forks Air Force Base" - "North Dakota" - "RQ-4 Global Hawk" --- # RQ-4 Global Hawk Drone Crashes Just Outside Of Grand Forks Air Force Base ![]() *www.twz.com* The U.S. Air Force has lost one of its [RQ-4 Global Hawk]() surveillance drones in an accident just outside Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. The unmanned aerial system crashed earlier today, with no injuries reported on the ground. According to Air Force officials, the Global Hawk was returning from a sortie this morning when it came down in a field on the 2700 block of 27th Avenue Northeast, around 4 miles north of [Grand Forks Air Force Base](), at around 7:00 am local time. A fire on the ground was extinguished and work to recover the drone is reportedly ongoing, with Sheriff's deputies, Air Force staff, and members of the North Dakota Highway Patrol at the scene of the incident. ![message-editor%2F1628271520409-rq-4\_grand\_forks.jpg]() *An RQ-4 lands at Grand Forks Air Force Base., *U.S. AIR FORCE** With a military investigation into the cause of the accident already having begun, the Air Force has requested that the public avoid the area as much as possible. It’s worth noting, too, that this is [not the first accident]() involving an [Air Force RQ-4](). “\[The\] 319th Reconnaissance Wing has personnel on site and we anticipate recovery operations and the official investigation may take several weeks,” said Colonel Jeremy Fields, vice commander of the 319th Reconnaissance Wing. “I’d like to personally thank local law enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and emergency services for their support on scene.” Headquartered at Grand Forks Air Force Base, the 319th Reconnaissance Wing is responsible for the infrastructure and operational support for the 69th Reconnaissance Group’s RQ-4 mission. This, in turn, supports squadrons and detachments at different operating locations around the globe, including [Andersen Air Force Base]() in Guam, Beale Air Force Base in California, and Sigonella in Italy. https://youtube.com/embed/CvJtOXqDMic The installation is also home to unmanned aircraft development and testing, with a [separate facility]() being built to accommodate contractors for this mission. The regional airspace is especially well suited for unmanned operations. We will continue to update this story as more details emerge. *Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com* ## Author Thomas Newdick is a staff writer at *TWZ*, where he covers military aviation, defense technology, weapons systems, and international security. Based in Berlin, Germany, he reports on conflicts, military modernization efforts, and emerging aerospace technologies around the world, with a particular interest in airpower and its role in contemporary warfare. His reporting is informed by deep expertise in modern and historical airpower, particularly in Europe, with a focus on military aviation, air campaigns, and aerospace developments across the continent and beyond. Over a journalism career spanning more than 25 years, Thomas has become known for making complex defense and aerospace topics accessible to a broad audience. His reporting combines technical expertise, historical context, and a focus on the real-world operational and strategic implications of military developments. ### Author social links [Twitter]()