Overview

• President Trump confirmed the allocation of 21 F-15EX Eagle II jets to Selfridge Air National Guard Base, replacing the retiring A-10 Thunderbolt IIs starting next year.
• This move ensures the long-term viability of the 106-year-old base, which supports approximately 5,000 jobs and contributes $850 million annually to Michigan's economy.
• The announcement follows bipartisan lobbying efforts, including a recent visit by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the White House to advocate for the base.
• Selfridge, already set to host KC-46A Pegasus refueling tankers by 2027, will further expand its role in U.S. defense strategy with the arrival of the F-15EX jets.
• The modernization aligns with the Air Force's broader shift away from legacy aircraft like the A-10 toward advanced fighter capabilities.