Peters & Slotkin Applaud State of Michigan for Passing Funding to Support Basing of F-15EX and KC-46A Missions at Selfridge Air National Guard Base

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Elissa Slotkin (MI) applauded the State of Michigan for passing $152 million in funding to support basing of the new F-15EX fighter jets and KC-46A tankers at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County.

"Our persistent work to secure the new KC-46 tankers and F-15EX fighter jets for Selfridge was a huge success for the base and our entire state," said Senator Peters, a member of the Armed Services Committee and Appropriations Committee. "Now, we must make every investment necessary to ensure the base is ready on day one for the arrival of these next-generation aircraft. That's why I've fought to deliver the federal funding needed for these upgrades, and I applaud the state for providing additional resources. These investments will make Selfridge the most advanced National Guard base in the country and help ensure Michigan remains central to our national defense for years to come."

"Michigan's federal, state, and local leaders have been dedicated to growing Selfridge for over a decade, and today's state investment will get the ball rolling on the Air Force investing hundreds of millions of federal dollars in the base over the next 5 years. This proves that years of federal, state, and local bipartisan work does pay off," said Senator Slotkin. "With new threats on the rise, the fighter mission here plays a vital role in defending the entire country and securing F-15EXs and KC-46A tankers is a massive investment in Michigan. This will not only pay for critical upgrades to the base but attract more defense companies to come do business at one of the country's premier Air Force bases. A lot of good bipartisan work got us here, and this progress will have a generational impact for Michigan, our national defense, and Macomb County's economy."

Peters and Slotkin have made supporting the future of Selfridge Air National Guard Base a top priority. The senators recently secured confirmation of the Air Force's "commitment to station 21 F-15EX aircraft at Selfridge ANGB" and its ongoing efforts to "bring nearly $985 million of facilities and infrastructure improvements" to Selfridge. As members of the Armed Services Committee, the senators have secured millions in federal funding for runway and taxiway improvements at Selfridge. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Peters also recently secured $20 million in federal military construction funding to support beddown of both the KC-46 and F-15EX missions. Earlier this year, Peters also urged the Air Force to provide the necessary resources and attention to ensure the on-time delivery of the new F-15EX fighter jets to Selfridge and called for expanded funding for the F-15EX training pipeline program, conducted primarily at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, where Selfridge's current A-10 pilots will need to undergo transition training for the F-15EX mission.

Prior to the F-15EX basing announcement in April 2025, Peters and Slotkin sent a letter urging the Air Force to base a new fighter mission at Selfridge. Last year, the senators introduced bipartisan legislation seeking to preserve the U.S. Air Force's fighter force structure and support the recapitalization of Air National Guard fighter missions, including at Selfridge. In January 2024, the senators announced that the U.S. Air Force selected Selfridge to host a new squadron of twelve KC-46A refueling tankers. This announcement came shortly after Peters led a bipartisan, bicameral group of Michigan delegation members, including Slotkin, in urging then-U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall to select Selfridge for a new squadron of these next-generation tankers, which will be deployed by the U.S. Air Force for at least the next 50 years.

To further strengthen Selfridge's role in U.S. national and homeland security efforts, Peters established the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Northern Border Mission Center. Peters secured $3 million to operate this Center at Selfridge, where it is collocated with current DHS components. The Center, which DHS has already stood up, will coordinate with state, local, and Tribal governments, and other key stakeholders, to ensure DHS and its operational components are able to fulfill their security mission at the Northern Border.

###

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Tweet