HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Harrison Township residents and business owners celebrated Tuesday’s announcement that Selfridge Air National Guard Base will receive 20 F-15EX fighter jets.
President Donald Trump and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the new fighter mission at the base, ending uncertainty about Selfridge’s future after its A-10 fighter fleet was scheduled for retirement.
--> Gov. Whitmer talks fighter jets, bipartisan effort with Kimberly Gill after Trump visit in Michigan
For residents like Maria Sikorski, the base is more than a military installation; it’s part of daily life.
“I live on the water, and it’s the landing strip. So I can actually see the color of their hair (of the pilot) sometimes. That’s how close it comes,” Sikorski said.
Long-time resident Bryan Buero has witnessed the base’s evolution.
“I remember watching the fighter jets take off, and then the military slowly withdrew around the Clinton time, and it has been going down since,” said Buero.
Local businesses anticipate positive economic ripples from the new fighter mission.
“It’s great news, great news for everybody, all the little local businesses around here,” said Carlo’s Pizza employee Tim Demuzzio.
Jane Cihon, owner of Jane’s Bridgeview Bistro, is renovating its interior and exterior. She said she’s happy to see new investments at Selfridge.
“I think it’s excellent for the community. It is going to bring additional jobs in. It’s going to bring additional people, which will help support the community economically,” said Cihon.
Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel praised the collaborative effort behind the announcement.
“A lot of credit goes to Donald Trump, the president, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer, our governor, for coming together and putting their political differences aside to do something that’s important for our nation’s defense, but also recognize the importance of Selfridge,” said Hackel.
State officials said the new fighter mission prevents the loss of approximately $30 million in wages.
The F-15EX jets are scheduled to arrive at the base in fiscal year 2028.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, Michigan National Guard adjutant general, outlined the transition process.
“It’s very exciting for the men and women who serve there. They get to see the next aircraft in the history and get to build on the legacy of Selfridge,” said Rogers. “They’ll be going through probably about a one-to-two-year process to get reclassified on that new aircraft.”
Richard Zielinski, owner of Shear Glory Hair Salon, emphasized how deeply the base is woven into the community’s fabric.
“We really enjoyed the armed forces being around here. Hearing the taps play every day at 5 p.m. We really do enjoy that. It wouldn’t be Harrison Township, Michigan, without Selfridge Air National Guard,” said Zielinski.