The Warren Sun

Congressman John James of Michigan’s 10th District has called on the U.S. Air Force to partner in developing a plan for critical runway upgrades at Selfridge Air National Guard Base (ANGB). This request follows President Trump’s directive to assign the F-15EX fighter fleet to the base in Macomb County.

In a letter addressed to Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink, James highlighted Selfridge’s strategic importance due to its location along the northern border and Great Lakes.

“Selfridge ANGB is a uniquely positioned national asset. As the only Air National Guard installation with a 100% federally owned flightline, its operational flexibility, strategic location near the northern border, and joint-force partnerships with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, and Customs and Border Protection make it indispensable. Its geographic location along the Great Lakes provides critical airspace access and rapid response capabilities that few other installations can match.” said James.

James also warned that delays in infrastructure improvements could jeopardize the timely arrival of next-generation aircraft.

“My office respectfully requests a detailed plan outlining how the Air Force intends to secure funding for the Selfridge runway extension and related infrastructure upgrades necessary to host the F-15EX fleet,” wrote James. “We understand that improvements to the runway at the base are required and that this issue must be resolved to fully support the next-generation fighter mission prior to the accelerated A-10 retirement by the end of Fiscal Year 2026.”

He offered his support for legislative or interagency needs and requested a meeting with Secretary Meink to keep preparations on track. James emphasized that unresolved construction delays could result in a capability gap.

Selfridge ANGB plays an important role in Macomb County by supporting thousands of jobs and contributing significantly to both local economic activity and regional defense. Since taking office in 2023 as representative for Michigan's 10th District (https://james.house.gov/), John James has advocated for securing new missions for Selfridge ANGB and ensuring it receives needed resources.

John James was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1981 and currently resides in Farmington Hills.

“Selfridge ANGB is the crown jewel of Macomb County, supports thousands of jobs, is critical to the local economy, and paramount to the defense and national security of the Great Lakes region. From his first day in office, James has advocated for a new fighter mission at Selfridge and consistently fought to get the base the funding and resources it needs. He remains committed to ensuring that the base is prepared for the arrival of the next-generation F-15EX fighter mission.”

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