WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters joined a group of their colleagues in leading bipartisan legislation to preserve the U.S. Air Force’s fighter force structure and support the recapitalization of Air National Guard fighter missions, including at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County.
“With emerging threats on the rise, our U.S. Air Force should retain its air combat power at Selfridge Air National Guard Base,” said Senator Slotkin. “The National Guard hosts the majority of America’s deployable combat air forces, and the fighter mission at Selfridge plays a vital role in defending the entire country. Keeping the fighter mission will ensure that decades of combat-proven experience – based right here in Michigan – from our pilots, operators, maintainers, and force support experts will continue.”
“National Guard fighter squadrons play a vital role in our national defense, and it’s essential that we protect these missions and position them for long-term success,” said Senator Peters. “This bipartisan legislation supports our continued efforts to secure a new fighter mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, which would help ensure Michigan remains critical to U.S. military strategy and defense against our adversaries around the world.”
Of the 25 Air National Guard fighter squadrons in existence today, 15 currently do not have a recapitalization or modernization plan to replace retiring legacy fighters, including Selfridge. The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025 would:
- Raise the minimum number of fighters in the U.S. Air Force inventory to support efforts to recapitalize Air National Guard units.
- Prioritize the recapitalization of Active Duty, Reserve, and Air National Guard units that are not already assigned to a combatant commander, like Selfridge, to maximize U.S. fighter assets and better secure our homeland.
- Require a report outlining a comprehensive recapitalization plan for all Air National Guard fighter squadrons, including at Selfridge.
- Establish a robust requirement to track Air Force fighter force structure, giving Congress oversight authority over potential future force structure modifications.
Slotkin and Peters have consistently fought to support the future of Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
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