Making the case for Selfridge
U.S. senators, representatives send letter to Air Force Secretary
Michigan’s two U.S. senators and most of the state’s congressional delegation, including two from Macomb County, have urged the U.S. Secretary of the Air Force to maintain a long-term fighter jet mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters and all but one of the Michigan delegation, including Macomb’s U.S. Reps. John James and Lisa McClain, signed a letter delivered to Secretary of Air Force Frank Kendall to replace Selfridge’s A-10 Warthog fighter jets “with a new, long-term fighter mission.”
The federal lawmakers emphasized in the letter that a new mission is essential to the ongoing sustainability of Harrison Township-based Selfridge, a cost-effective opportunity for the Air Force, and critical for America’s defense strategy.
“Replacing the A-10 with a future fighter mission is essential to the ongoing sustainability of Selfridge, a cost-effective opportunity for the Air Force, and critical for the defense of America and her interests around the world,” the letter says.
The letter does not specifically mention locating a training center for the newer F-35 fighter jets at Selfridge, for which local, state and federal officials have been lobbying in recent years. The Air Force preliminarily decided to locate the center at Fort Smith Regional Airport in Arkansas, with SANG as an alternate. A final decision is expected this year.
The letter doesn’t mention Fort Smith but makes implications.
“Michigan has much to offer the Air Force and the Department of Defense — most
importantly, willing, engaged, and unified partners, from the highest levels of government to the families who live right next door,” the letter says. “The close to 5,000 military and civilian jobs supported by Selfridge are not just jobs; they are a part of the fabric of the community.”
In addition to the letter, the lawmakers introduced a resolution in both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives to highlight Selfridge’s contributions.
The letter follows a similar one sent to Kendall nearly a month ago by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who said, “Leading future fighter missions at Selfridge is the smart thing for Michigan, the Air Force, and our nation,” noting the state is home to “over 4,000 businesses engaged in defense and aerospace work, supporting nearly 166,000 jobs.”
The recent letter expresses support for Whitmer’s promise to invest $100 million in upgrades at the base; $6.1 million already has been approved by lawmakers.
“We stand united with Governor Whitmer and State of Michigan’s proposed investments to Selfridge and to Michigan’s defense capabilities,” the letter says. “Selfridge and the Michigan National Guard enjoy unparalleled local support and are sources of pride for Michiganders.”
The letter notes Michigan is the site of other national-defense entities, including the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Camp Grayling, Alpena Combat Readiness Center, Fort Custer Training Center, as well as facilities located at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren such as the Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command and Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center.
“Our training and manufacturing environment, bolstered by critical partnerships, is unrivaled,” the letter says. “These assets will enable our Armed Forces to prepare for today’s global, joint fight and stay one step ahead of our adversaries.
James in a written statement calls investment in Selfridge “a logical next step.”
“Our next gen fighters are trending away from the Nation’s heartland and industrial base toward the coasts,” James said. “This leaves our strategic and expensive assets ever more vulnerable to both enemy attacks and the increasingly frequent and severe effects of climate change.”
The letter boasts of SANG’s other attributes, including “a four-seasons training area in the largest inland-range complex east of the Mississippi.”
“The Michigan Air National Guard is poised to lead the nation in providing a cutting-edge, integrated force by leveraging Michigan’s unique physical environment as well as its industrial capabilities,” it says. “We possess some of our nation’s finest and most innovative All-Domain training resources. Our training and manufacturing environment, bolstered by critical partnerships, is unrivaled.
The state boasts possessing “unique climate resiliency,” they wrote.
“Not only is Michigan surrounded by the largest body of fresh water, but our Great Lakes also ensure that meteorological extremes are far below average compared with other parts of the country,” it says.
The letter also was signed by representatives Jack Bergman, John Moolenaar, Hillary Scholten, Bill Huizenga, Tim Walberg, Debbie Dingell, Elissa Slotkin, Dan Kildee, Haley Stevens, and Shri Thanedar. Rahida Talib was the only member who did not sign the letter.