HARRISON TOWNSHIP (WWJ) - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is once again urging the U.S. Air Force to consider a new fighter mission at Macomb County's Selfridge Air National Guard Base to set Michigan, the Air Force and the nation on the "right path forward."
Whitmer sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall III to continue her push for developing a replacement fighter mission as the Air Force begins plans to retire A-10 fighter squadrons across the nation.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II, also called the 'A-10 Warthog" due to its aggressive look, is the U.S. Air Force's primary low-altitude close air support aircraft -- and Selfridge is one of many bases across the U.S. that performs a wide variety of roles using the A-10, the base's mission page stated.
Whitmer wrote in her letter that Michigan is committed to supporting President Biden's National Security Strategy, which focuses on "investing in the underlying sources and tools of American power and influence, building the strongest possible coalition of nations, and modernizing and strengthening our military to better equip us for strategic competition."
The governor repeated statements she made over the past year and most recently in November, writing that a "fighter mission at Selfridge to recapitalize the A10s is the right path forward for the State of Michigan, the Air Force, and the nation."
Watch Michigan Air National Guard airmen land an A-10 on M-28 as part of a military exercise over the summer in Northern Michigan below:
Whitmer said she remained committed to ensure the mission's replacement remains cost-effective for the Air Force.
According to the governor's office, Whitmer has spent the last year making the case for additional U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) investments across the state, including future plans for a replacement fighter missing at Selfridge.
"The Governor has maintained close contact with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and his team and is working in a bipartisan manner with the Michigan Congressional Delegation and Selfridge community on this important issue," her officer stated. "Governor Whitmer hosted the Secretary during two separate visits last summer showcasing Michigan as a premier destination for Air Force and DoD investment. As a top priority, the Governor also met virtually and in person with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks to continue advocating for a fighter jet replacement for Selfridge's A-10s."
Selfridge boasts access to the largest military airspace complex east of the Mississippi River and hosts units from every branch of the U.S. military.
Additionally, Selfridge economic impacts in the state are an estimated $850 million, affecting approximately 5,000 military and civilian support personnel.
