WASHINGTON, DC – After applauding the State of Michigan’s $152 million investment to support the new F-15EX fighter jets and KC-46A tankers at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) pressed the Air Force to accelerate the federal resources needed for beddown of these next-generation aircraft. During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing with Air Force Secretary Troy E. Meink, Peters emphasized the importance of timely Air Force investments to build on the state’s funding commitment.
“This was following months of advocacy from folks at the state, local, and federal level,” Peters said during the hearing. “Now, with the state delivering on the funding, I think it’s imperative that we move forward as quickly as possible.”
To watch the full video of Senator Peters’ questioning, click here.
After Peters sent a letter to Secretary Meink in December 2025, the Air Force committed to providing robust funding to upgrade infrastructure at Selfridge following state investment. When combined with state resources, nearly $1 billion in infrastructure upgrades are proposed for Selfridge. Once completed, these upgrades will place Selfridge among the most modern Air Force bases in the country, National Guard or active duty.
During the hearing, Secretary Meink reiterated the importance of the State of Michigan’s investment, and highlighted the flexibility it provides the Air Force for making the remaining investments necessary to support the arrival of these missions.
“No question, with 21 F-15s, and as well as the tankers, it’s going to be a be a very, very capable Guard base,” Secretary Meink said during the hearing.
Peters has made supporting the future of Selfridge Air National Guard Base a top priority. Peters recently secured confirmation of the Air Force’s “commitment to station 21 F-15EX aircraft at Selfridge ANGB” and its ongoing efforts to deliver the federal funding needed for facilities and infrastructure improvements to Selfridge. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Peters has 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 sent a letter urging the Air Force to base a new fighter mission at Selfridge. Last year, 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 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 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 is already standing 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.
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