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CBS News
30-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Michigan leaders say Selfridge's new flying mission supports Macomb County's economy
President Trump announced that a new fighter mission is coming to Selfridge Air National Guard Base. It's welcome news for the people who live and work on and around the base in Macomb County. According to Michigan leaders, Selfridge has an $850 million economic impact in Michigan. Twenty-one brand new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets will live here at Selfridge. "This will keep Selfridge at the cutting edge of North American air power," Trump said. The fighter jets will replace the A-10 Warthogs, and it's a big win for the base. "If we had not received this decision and announcement from the president yesterday, we would have lost the fighter flying mission," said Major General Paul Rogers. It means 600 people will keep their jobs. "They earn about $30 million a year that then gets spent largely within the community," Rogers said. The president gave Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer a lot of credit for her work to make it happen. "I got to work with people that I don't agree with a lot, but at the end of the day, when you can see something like this happen. You see, it's all worth it," Whitmer said. The effort and announcement have bipartisan support and provide a boost for both military and civilian jobs. "It's going to attract more people to the area. It's going to maintain jobs and even possibly create more jobs. The possibilities are endless," Rep. Alicia St. Germaine, R-Harrison Township, said. "Anytime you get a new aircraft like that, you tend to expect to see contract support come in, especially early on, to help us get established and grow into the new mission, so it will have an increase in jobs for the local community," Rogers said. New hangers will need to be built for not only the jets but also aircraft important to the refueling mission. "We'll have construction jobs moving the runway and enhancing the runway performance. So in total, we're estimating it could be anywhere close to $500 million of construction work over the next 10 years at Selfridge," Rogers said. The new planes are expected to arrive at Selfridge in 2028, which means the base will be able to serve the community for decades. Mr. Trump added that his administration will continue plans to replace the outgoing KC-135 and KC-46 Pegasus aircraft to continue that important refueling mission at Selfridge. "They'll be restocked as brand new, top-of-the-line refuelers for generations of men and women of Selfridge who've always been here, and they've always been for us, whether you're Republican or Democrat," Trump said.
Epoch Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Trump Announces 21 New Fighter Jets for Selfridge Air National Guard Base
President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan will receive 21 new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets as replacements for 21 retiring A-10 Warthog aircraft. 'I've come in person to lay to rest any doubts about Selfridge's future and the vital role it will play in our national defense,' Trump Trump was visiting Michigan to celebrate the first 100 days of his second term in office. 'As commander-in-chief, I'm proud to announce that very soon, we will replace the retiring A-10 Warthogs with 21 brand new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets,' he added. 'The best in the world.' According to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office, the F-15EX fighter jets are expected to begin arriving at Selfridge in fiscal year 2028, in addition to the incoming KC-46A tankers secured last year. The Selfridge base contributes an estimated $850 million to Michigan's economy and supports 30,000 jobs in the state. It hosts units from every branch of the U.S. Armed Service, except the Space Force, as well as being a home to homeland security operations, the governor's office stated. Related Stories 3/15/2025 4/3/2025 '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 Macomb County executive Mark Hackel thanked Trump and said that bringing the F-15EX fighter jets 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,' he Built by Boeing, the F-15EX boasts a payload capacity of 29,500 pounds and is designed to serve as a backbone for any tactical fighter fleet, according to Boeing's The aerospace company stated that the aircraft can shoot targets from a 'significantly increased' range, 'farther than any other fighter in the U.S. Air Force arsenal.' Other Air National Guard bases currently Meanwhile, Trump Trump said that an experimental version of Boeing's F-47 airframe has been flying in secret for nearly five years and that he is confident the aircraft 'massively overpowers the capabilities of any other nation.' Details about the aircraft design remain secret, and Trump said he would not specify the price for the program because it could give hints about the size of the aircraft and some of the technology it will include. Ryan Morgan contributed to this report.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump says Michigan base will stay open, get new fighter jets
President Trump on Tuesday announced Selfridge National Guard base in Michigan will receive 21 F-15EX Eagle II fighters, newer generation jets meant to replace the installation's aging A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, effectively guaranteeing the base's future. The Boeing-made aircraft, previously purchased by the Air Force, will go to Selfidge after years of lobbying from Michigan lawmakers to shore up the future of the 106-year-old Harrison Township base, an installation that has an estimated $850 million impact on the state's economy. 'I've come in person to lay to rest any doubts about Selfridge's future and the vital role it'll play in our initial defense,' Trump said in a speech at the base, during a visit to Michigan to mark the 100th day of his second term in office. 'As commander and chief, I'm proud to announce that very soon, we will replace the retiring A-10 Warthogs with 21 brand-new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets. The best in the world; brand new,' he said to applause. Trump said new aircraft 'will keep Selfridge at the cutting edge of Northern American airpower,' after the Air Force is expected to begin phasing out the A-10, also known as the Warthog, starting next year. The announcement follows a surprise appearance at the White House by Democrat Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer earlier this month, a visit Trump alluded to in his speech. Whitmer was present at Selfridge during the announcement. 'She came to see me. That's the reason she came to see me, by the way, to save Selfridge. And she was very effective along with some of the other politicians and some of the military people,' Trump said. 'They love this place. They love what it stands for, all the victories they've had here over the years. So I want to thank Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for bringing it also to our attention very strongly.' The announcement comes as the state, which voted for Trump last year, has been rocked by his dramatic flip-flopping tariff policies, given its major automobile industry and its borders with Canada. Home to the 127th wing of the Michigan Air National Guard, Selfridge opened in 1917 and supports an estimated 5,000 jobs. Last year, the base announced it would host a new squadron of Air Force KC-46A Pegasus refueling tankers, meant to replace the outgoing KC-135, which could be phased out as early as 2027. Other aircraft at Selfridge include the Michigan Army National Guard's CH-47 Chinook helicopters, the U.S. Coast Guard's HH-65 Dolphin helicopter, and various other aircraft used by Customs & Border Protection. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
F-15EX To Replace Michigan Air National Guard A-10s
President Donald Trump made a surprise announcement today at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan, which was losing its A-10 Warthogs to retirement, and possibly its tactical flying mission overall. Instead, the storied base and the 107th Fighter Squadron have been chosen to receive a squadron of Boeing F-15EX Eagle IIs. The news comes just a day after billions of dollars were earmarked for accelerating F-15EX acquisitions in a massive defense spending boost proposed by the heads of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. Still, there are big questions of where these jets are coming from, as well as what exactly this means for the F-15EX basing structure and its future numbers in the Air Force overall. Trump visited Selfridge Air National Guard Base today to deliver the very welcome news that the installation will not lose its fighter mission. Instead, it would grow with a new and far more advanced aircraft than the base's Warthogs. A squadron of KC-46 Pegasus tankers is already slated to call the base home towards the end of the decade, replacing the KC-135Rs stationed there now. @POTUS: "As commander-in-chief, I am proud to announce that very soon we will replace the retiring A-10 Warthogs with 21 brand new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets" at Selfridge Air National Guard base in Michigan. — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 29, 2025 This is a major economic win for Michigan, and politicians and community leaders on both sides of the political aisle are lauding Trump's reprieve for the base's fighter mission. Trump said today that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who is a member of the Democratic Party, made her controversial visit to the White House earlier this month 'to save Selfridge.' Trump praising Michigan Gov. GRETCHEN WHITMER at Selfridge Air National Guard Base: 'She came to see me. That's the reason she came to see me, by the way, to save Selfridge. She was very effective,' he said. — Julia Manchester (@JuliaManch) April 29, 2025 BREAKING: After years of hard work, we've secured a new fighter squadron to protect operations at Selfridge Air National Guard Base for decades to come. That means jobs, a stronger economy, and a bright, lasting, and secure future for Selfridge and the entire state of Michigan. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) April 29, 2025 My statement on the announcement that 21 F-15EXs are coming to Selfridge Air National Guard Base: — Senator Gary Peters (@SenGaryPeters) April 29, 2025 Thank you @POTUS for recognizing the roll Selfridge plays in supporting our warfighters and contributing to our nation's is something the Michigan Delegation and I have long fought for, and President Trump made it a reality. I look forward to integrating the F-15EX… — Rep. Bill Huizenga (@RepHuizenga) April 29, 2025 What remains unclear is where the new F-15EXs will come from. As it sits now, roughly all the F-15EXs allotted under the 98 airframe procurement program of record have a future home. Each squadron would be made up of 18 jets, a reduction from the roughly 21 F-15C/Ds found today at units that still fly the older aircraft. Oregon, California, and Louisiana would all get one squadron, replacing their F-15C/Ds. Kadena Air Base on the Japanese island of Okinawa has at least been loosely understood to be in line to get two squadrons. This would leave eight aircraft for testing, training, and reserve. Now with the added 21 jets for Selfridge, either those assignments are changing or more F-15EXs are being bought. The latter is very possible, as indicated by the $3.1B set aside 'to increase production' of the F-15EX in the recently proposed $150B defense spending package. However, it still isn't clear if those funds would be used to accelerate and fund current procurement plans or to expand them, although buying more jets seemed more likely. You can read all about this in our write up on it here. So, with yesterday's budgetary news and today's basing announcement, more F-15EXs appear to be planned for. This would make a lot of sense based on the issues surrounding such a small force, the unique capabilities and efficiencies the F-15EX brings to the table, the popularity of the jet among key commanders, its testing performance, and especially the growing threats abroad. You can read more about the case for a larger F-15EX fleet in this past feature of ours. Alternatively, it's possible that Kadena is now going to get just one squadron of F-15EXs instead of two, with those 18 jets going to Selfridge, plus three from the remaining eight testing, training, and spare aircraft pool. The 21-aircraft squadron structure for Selfridge — adopting the same inventory number as the F-15C/D force — is also curious. This could indicate that all F-15EX squadrons will gain three more jets under a larger overall buy. This would allow for 18 primary aircraft and three retained by each unit as backup inventory aircraft. If Selfridge's F-15EXs are truly in addition to the 98 jets the Air Force currently plans to order, we also don't know if other squadrons will follow. Doing so would grow the overall program of record significantly. Originally, the minimum procurement target was 144 Eagle IIs. Finally, it's worth mentioning that the F-15EX is primarily seen as an air defense asset, at least for now. F-15C/Ds tasked with that mission for homeland defense have been arrayed along the country's coastlines, protecting from threats emanating from the maritime domain. Not since the short-lived Montana F-15C/D unit (120th Fighter Wing) was shuttered nearly a decade and a half ago have operational air superiority Eagles been stationed elsewhere in the country. So, regaining an Eagle squadron that is positioned for northern air defense is an interesting development. We have reached out to the USAF for clarification on the questions laid out here, and it's worth noting that if these are extra jets, the spending bill that could help fund them still has to be passed and signed into law in order to definitively say this is a done deal. Contact the author: Tyler@
The Hill
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Trump says Michigan base will stay open, get new fighter jets
President Trump on Tuesday announced Selfridge National Guard base in Michigan will receive 21 F-15EX Eagle II fighters, newer generation jets meant to replace the installation's aging A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, effectively guaranteeing the base's future. The Boeing-made aircraft, previously purchased by the Air Force, will go to Selfidge after years of lobbying from Michigan lawmakers to shore up the future of the 106-year-old Harrison Township base, an installation that has an estimated $850 million impact on the state's economy. 'I've come in person to lay to rest any doubts about Selfridge's future and the vital role it'll play in our initial defense,' Trump said in a speech at the base, during a visit to Michigan to mark the 100th day of his second term in office. 'As commander and chief, I'm proud to announce that very soon, we will replace the retiring A-10 Warthogs with 21 brand-new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets. The best in the world; brand new,' he said to applause. Trump said new aircraft 'will keep Selfridge at the cutting edge of Northern American airpower,' after the Air Force is expected to begin phasing out the A-10, also known as the Warthog, starting next year. The announcement follows a surprise appearance at the White House by Democrat Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer earlier this month, a visit Trump alluded to in his speech. Whitmer was present at Selfridge during the announcement. 'She came to see me. That's the reason she came to see me, by the way, to save Selfridge. And she was very effective along with some of the other politicians and some of the military people,' Trump said. 'They love this place. They love what it stands for, all the victories they've had here over the years. So I want to thank Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for bringing it also to our attention very strongly.' The announcement comes as the state, which voted for Trump last year, has been rocked by his dramatic flip-flopping tariff policies, given its major automobile industry and its borders with Canada. Home to the 127th wing of the Michigan Air National Guard, Selfridge opened in 1917 and supports an estimated 5,000 jobs. Last year, the base announced it would host a new squadron of Air Force KC-46A Pegasus refueling tankers, meant to replace the outgoing KC-135, which could be phased out as early as 2027. Other aircraft at Selfridge include the Michigan Army National Guard's CH-47 Chinook helicopters, the U.S. Coast Guard's HH-65 Dolphin helicopter, and various other aircraft used by Customs & Border Protection.
