Gov. Whitmer Secures Game-Changing New F15-EX Fighter Mission for Selfridge, Protecting Jobs, Military Families, and Michigan’s Defense Industry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 29, 2025

Contact: press@michigan.gov

Gov. Whitmer Secures Game-Changing New F15-EX Fighter Mission for Selfridge, Protecting Jobs, Military Families, and Michigan’s Defense Industry

President’s announcement cements years of bipartisan advocacy by state officials, congressional delegation, and local partners to protect Selfridge’s $850 million annual economic impact

“A huge, bipartisan win that will grow our economy and make our country safer,” said Gov. Whitmer.

HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Mich.—Today, Governor Whitmer secured a game-changing new fighter mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base (Selfridge) in Macomb County. The new fighter mission will grow Michigan’s economy, bring new aircraft, keep expert talent including pilots and maintenance workers in state, support military and civilian jobs at the base, and cement Michigan’s leadership in national security and the defense industry for decades to come.

“This is a huge, bipartisan win for Michigan, decades in the making, that will grow our economy and make our country safer,” said Governor Whitmer. “Since day one, I’ve been laser-focused on securing a new fighter mission at Selfridge and supporting the brave service members who step up for our communities every day. 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. Because of our tireless work with partners on the ground in Macomb County and on both sides of the aisle, the future of Selfridge is bright, lasting, and secure. I’ll keep working with anyone to get things done on the kitchen-table issues and make a real difference for Michigan families.”

Today, the President announced that he has made a Strategic Basing Decision to station approximately 20 F-15EXs at Selfridge in addition to the already planned bed down of KC-46As the base is set to receive. According to the Department of Defense, the F-15EXs will begin arriving in FY28, and this basing decision will not overturn other F-15EX basing actions in other states, but is rather additive.

This announcement comes after years of advocacy, with the Governor working to bring a new fighter mission to Selfridge at all levels of government and on both sides of the aisle since 2019. Without her leadership, Selfridge was poised to lose the A-10 fighter mission without a replacement, costing the base critical Michigan jobs and $30 million in wages.

“Supporting the thousands of servicemembers at Selfridge Air National Guard Base is one of our top priorities,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “Today’s historic announcement will create and retain good-paying jobs, grow Michigan’s $30 billion defense industry, and ensure Selfridge thrives for decades to come. Let’s keep Standing Tall for Selfridge.”

“Today is a great day for the State of Michigan and the Michigan National Guard,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “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. 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. I am happy for our Airmen and their families, who have remained steadfast during this period of uncertainty. This new fighter mission prevents the loss of about $30 million in wages. We’re excited for the future at Selfridge and for the future missions that will unfold while employing this great multirole fighter.”

“Today marks a historic moment in Selfridge’s more than 100-year history,” said Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel. “For years we have worked with Governor Whitmer, our legislative delegation and local partners to advocate for our hometown airbase. President Trump’s commitment to bring a new fighter mission home to Selfridge will solidify the base as Michigan’s premier defense installation. With new facilities, modern infrastructure, dedicated military and civilian personnel, and a new fighter mission, Selfridge will continue to play a critical role in our nation’s defense. I want to personally thank President Trump, Governor Whitmer, base leadership and all of our local Selfridge champions who helped make this happen.”

"This is exciting news for Macomb County," said Macomb County Board of Commissioners Chair Joe Sabatini. "Selfridge Air National Guard Base is not only a vital part of our national defense, but also a cornerstone of our local economy. The new fighter mission will strengthen job growth, support local businesses, and reinforce the important role our community plays in national security."

“President Trump’s announcement of a follow-on fighter mission for Selfridge Air National Guard Base will be transformational, not just for Macomb County but for our entire region and the state. This will absolutely secure the future of Selfridge, which is a critical component of our national defense, especially along the northern border,” said Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice S. Miller, who advocated for Selfridge as a member of Congress for 14 years and in 2022 was named honorary base commander.

“Today’s announcement is a major win for our region, made possible by leaders at every level working together — from my legislative colleagues and Governor Whitmer to our congressional delegation and President Trump,” said state Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), who represents the base in the Michigan Senate and serves as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military, Veterans, and State Police. “Selfridge is too important to our community and the state of Michigan to let anything stand in the way of assuring its future. I’m proud to have done my part to secure state funding and assist the base with the infrastructure improvements needed to make this new endeavor possible. In the state Senate, I’ll continue partnering with anyone committed to strengthening Selfridge and supporting the men and women who serve there.”

"Selfridge Air National Guard Base is a critical asset to Macomb County, to Michigan and to our nation's defense," said Kelley Lovati, president and CEO of the Macomb County Chamber. "A new fighter mission will help secure the future of Selfridge, which employs more than 5,000 men and women, is home to multiple military units, and generates an $850 million economic impact for Macomb County. It will position Selfridge and Macomb County for continued growth, innovation and leadership in national defense for years to come."

“Funding for a new fighter mission is great news for Michigan,” said Ken Verkest, Harrison Township Supervisor. “Although Selfridge is located in Harrison Township, it is a regional and statewide asset. Our National Guard forces are an extremely cost-effective part of our national defense, and Selfridge is one of the best. A new fighter mission will help ensure the future of Selfridge.”

“The Selfridge Base Community Council is thrilled by the news of Selfridge Air National Guard Base securing a follow-on fighter mission as our current A-10 Thunderbolt II Attack Aircraft are in the process of being retired from service,” said Selfridge Community Council President, Jonathan Vandenbossche. “As staunch supporters of Team Selfridge, we have been advocating for a fighter mission to complement our new KC-46 refueling squadron, arriving later this decade. Selfridge ANGB is not only vital to Southeastern Michigan but is crucial in the defense of the State and Nation as a whole. We look forward to continuing to support the important work being done at Selfridge as we welcome the new fighters to Michigan.”

Selfridge Background

Selfridge contributes an estimated $850 million to Michigan’s economy, supporting 30,000 jobs statewide and over 5,000 members of the Air and Army National Guard and Reserve components. Itis home to units from every U.S. Armed Service except Space Force, as well as homeland security operations by Customs and Border Protection. Selfridge supports Michigan’s defense industry, which contributes $30 billion to the state’s economy and supports approximately 166,000 jobs. It directly supports other military installations in Michigan, such as Camp Grayling, the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, and the Detroit Arsenal, among others. With its legacy of serving F-16s and A-10s, Selfridge is well equipped to support a fighter mission, which includes not just aircraft but also auxiliary and support staff and materials. Today’s announcement of a new fighter mission at Selfridge builds on the successful, bipartisan effort to secure a new KC-46A tanker mission at the base, which was announced in January 2024.

Advocating for Selfridge