ON THE JOB FOR MICHIGAN: Local Leaders Highlight Peters’ Leadership in Strengthening the Future of Selfridge Air National Guard Base

WASHINGTON, DC – In a new “On the Job” video from U.S. Senator Gary Peters’ (MI) office, local leaders highlight Peters’ long-time efforts to strengthen the future of Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Throughout his time in the Senate, Peters has worked tirelessly to secure the base’s new KC-46A tanker aircraft and F15-EX fighter jets, two long-term, next-generation missions that will cement the base’s integral role in U.S. defense strategy for decades to come. Additionally, Peters secured funding and legislation to establish the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Northern Border Mission Center at Selfridge, which will ensure the base continues to play a critical role in both U.S. national and homeland security. The video is part of the On the Job for Michigan series, which highlights Peters’ leadership and advocacy on behalf of Michigan constituents and communities. “You think about Selfridge and there’s always been concern whether they are going to put something out or get rid of the base itself,” said Mark Hackel, Macomb County Executive. “But that concern has lessened over the years with people like Gary and other support that we have from our federal delegation.” “Selfridge Air National Guard Base is custom ready to provide Northern Border Security,” said Macomb County Public Works Commissioner and former Michigan U.S. Congresswoman Candice Miller. “There has never been a question in my mind that Gary Peters is going to be there standing up for the people of Michigan. I can’t overstate how excited the community is, not just because of all the personnel that is going to be coming here, but the investment that’s going to happen.” “He was relentless. He has always been a champion for Selfridge,” said Vicky Rowinski, Macomb County Director of Planning and Economic Development. “It was a big win with the F-15EXs that we now have a new fighter mission.” Watch the “On the Job” vi deo here. Peters has made supporting the future of Selfridge Air National Guard Base a top priority. Prior to the F-15EX basing announcement in April 2025, Peters sent a letter urging the Air Force to base a new fighter mission at Selfridge. In 2025, Peters 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, Peters helped announce 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 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 in March 2024 to operate this Center at Selfridge, where it is collocated with current DHS components. The Center 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. ###