Michigan air base gets new life with DOD announcement

(The Center Square) – Democrat and Republican leaders in Michigan are calling President Donald Trump’s announcement of a new mission for Selfridge Air National Guard Base near Detroit critical for the life of the base and the economy of the area.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen called the mission a game-changer.

“This is a huge, bipartisan win for Michigan, decades in the making, that will grow our economy and make our country safer,” Whitmer said in a statement. “I appreciate the President’s partnership on this new fighter mission that will protect jobs and show the world that Michigan is the best place to pioneer the next innovations in national defense.”

The U.S. Department of Defense plans to station about 20 F-15EXs at Selfridge. That’s in addition to a planned establishment of KC-46As the base is expected to get. According to DOD, the F-15EXs will begin arriving in fiscal year 2028 and are more planes rather than taking them from other states.

“This new fighter mission will help ensure Selfridge remains a cornerstone of our community for years to come,” Rep. Alice St. Germaine, R-Harrison Township, said in a statement. “This is a proud cornerstone of our community for years to come. This is a proud moment for Macomb County, and I’m grateful for everyone who has worked tirelessly to make it a reality. It is good to finally have a president who is helping Michigan make real progress.”

Whitmer said efforts to secure Selfridge’s future have been ongoing since 2019, and the base was in line to lose the A-10 fighter mission, which would have removed $30 million in salaries from the area.

“The selection of Selfridge Air National Guard Base to host a fighter mission to replace the retiring A-10 mission proves that Michigan will continue to be a leader in national defense,” U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “I would like to thank Governor Whitmer for standing up for Selfridge Air National Guard Base. She has secured tens of millions of dollars to make critical infrastructure improvements to the base and we will continue working to improve Selfridge. It’s a key piece of our statewide defense strategy and foundational to Macomb’s and Southeast Michigan’s economy.”