Check-in Procedures

For Airmen and Civilians reporting for in-processing at Grand Forks Air Force Base, proceed to your unit orderly room with an endorsed copy of your orders. Civilians are to report to their Civilian Personnel Office. The Visitor Control Center is the 24-hour main arrival point for Grand Forks Air Force Base. 

The Grand Forks AFB Visitor Control Center/Bldg. #812 is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• The Grand Forks AFB Commercial Visitor Control Center/Bldg. #147 is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• All locations are closed on federal holidays, down days, and family days.

The Visitor Control Center is a tremendous resource for support in contacting your sponsor as well as obtaining general information about Grand Forks Air Force Base and the surrounding area. You can obtain instructions on how to request base access for visitors and contractors, how to register your weapons, and how to receive your restricted badge by using the GFAFB Virtual Visitor Control Center at:

https://www.grandforks.af.mil/Contact/Grand-Forks-Virtual-Visitor-Center/

If arriving during duty hours, contact your assigned unit or squadron upon arrival. Your new commander's support section will in-process you, inventory your records and schedule your mandatory in-processing and Newcomer's Orientation briefing. Have your hand-carried records and orders with you.

Be sure to make temporary lodging reservations prior to arrival. As part of the in-processing checklist, all newly arrived inbound are required to attend the Grand Forks Air Force Base Newcomer Orientation held the second Thursday of the month starting at 8 a.m. Contact the Military and Family Readiness Center at 701-747-3241 for location and to get registered. Spouses and children are always welcomed to attend the orientation and, when available, includes a “Scope of the Mission briefing and/or Tour”. 

Airmen and Civilians should contact your unit orderly room for in-processing procedures. If you have not already done so, contact your sponsor to discuss lodging options as there is no longer on base lodging.  If you have not been assigned a sponsor, contact the Customer Service Section of the Military Personnel Flight at 701-747-6411 or DSN 312-362-6411 or the Military and Family Readiness Center at 701-747-3241.

Upon arrival at Grand Forks Air Force Base, newcomers should report to their unit orderly room for completion of the Initial Duty Assignment worksheet. After all unit and base personnel in-processing is completed, and if approved by the commander, the member may be granted permissive leave for house hunting. Ensure a Leave Form is completed by the unit.

First Term Airmen

If Grand Forks Air Force Base is your first duty station after Basic and Tech School Training, then you should contact your sponsor to notify your respective squadron of your arrival. Your sponsor unit representative will meet and escort you to your unit personnel office and then to the Military Personnel Section, Building 101 on Steen Blvd. for in-processing. During in-processing, you will be scheduled for the First Term Airmen's Course.

The First Term Airman Center is located in the Walker Warrior Professional Development Center, 259 Tuskegee Airmen Blvd., Building 139. Completion of this course is a requirement for airmen arriving at their first duty assignment in the Air Force. You will be assigned to FTAC for a total of five calendar days. The FTAC program is structured to assist airmen in transitioning from training to a mission-oriented environment. The course reinforces military lessons First Term Airmen learn and experience in Basic Military Training and during technical training to prepare airmen for their role in supporting the mission. The First Term Airman Course creates an environment for airmen to develop an expeditionary mindset.

Newcomer's Orientation

The Newcomer's Orientation is held every second Thursday of each month starting at 8:00 a.m.. Please contact the Military and Family Readiness Center at 701-747-3241 or your squadron CSS to get signed up for Newcomer's Orientation and for the location. At the Newcomer's Orientation you will also complete your initial Equal Opportunity and Victim Prevention Training. This orientation is mandatory for all arriving permanent party Air Force service members and Department of Defense civilians. Spouses and children are always welcomed and encouraged to attend.

Visit the Military and Family Readiness Center, Building 207, 575 Holzapple St. or call 701-747-3241 for maps, newcomer information, family member employment assistance, child care for permanent change of station vouchers, Heart Link (Air Force orientation for spouses), budget assistance, financial classes, emergency assistance, and other resources.  

The Grand Forks Air Force Base does not have on-base lodging options. Please be prepared to find off-base lodging accommodations. Contact your squadron sponsor for more information.  

When arriving on base, important documents to be hand carried should include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• A copy of orders
• Identification and/or social security cards
• Vehicle registrations 
• Proof of car vehicle insurance

If arriving from overseas, hand carried documents should also include the following items:

• Vehicle shipping papers
• Shot immunization records
• Household inventories for household goods and claims
• School records for all children

Timing can be important in a military marriage. If you have Permanent Change of Station orders and get married before you actually make the move, you can have your spouse added to your orders and the military will pay for the relocation of your spouse and their personal property. However, if you report to your new duty assignment first, and then get married, you will have to pay for the relocation of your spouse out of your own pocket. If you get married before your PCS to Grand Forks Air Force Base, it is imperative your chain of command, including your commander, is contacted as soon as possible. Follow their procedures exactly as they are given. The military will not pay or reimburse you for travel and housing of your spouse and/or dependents if the proper procedures aren't followed.