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Future of aviation emerging at Selfridge

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Chelsea E. FitzPatrick
  • 127th Wing Public Affairs
SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. --   SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich.—Airmen assigned to the 127th Wing, Michigan National Guard, learned the future of their dual flying missions when President Donald J. Trump announced the F-15EX Eagle II aircraft will replace the A-10 Thunderbolt II mission when the latter is retired.

Trump, joined by the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, The Adjutant General of the Michigan National Guard, U.S. Army Maj. General Paul Rogers and Michigan Air National Guard Assistant Adjutant General, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Daniel J. Kramer II, declared the strategic basing decision to approximately 300 Airmen and members of the media at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

“This is a huge, bipartisan win for Michigan, decades in the making, that will grow our economy and make our country safer,” Whitmer said. “Since day one, I’ve been laser-focused on securing a new fighter mission at Selfridge and supporting the brave Servicemembers who step up for our communities every day.”

The announcement relieved years of uncertainty about what airframe, if any, would replace the 127th Wing’s A-10 fleet Aafter the Air Force began officially retiring the plane, nicknamed the “Warthog,” in 2022. The uncertainty was replaced with concern when, in 2024, the Air Force announced Selfridge ANGB was selected as the preferred location to host the next KC-46A Pegasus refueling mission to replace both the A-10 and KC-135 Stratotanker.

“Divesting the aging A-10 fleet and KC-135s and replacing them with the KC-46 ensure Selfridge ANGB has an enduring and modern mission that meets the requirements of the National Defense Strategy,” the Air Force wrote in the Jan. 12, 2024 press release announcing the new mission.

Flown by Airmen assigned to the 107th Fighter Squadron and maintained by Airmen of the 127th Maintenance Group, the A-10 mission replaced the 127th Wing’s F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, relocating the fleet from the 110th Fighter Wing in Battle Creek in early 2009. In 2011, the 127th Wing completed the typical three-year long aircraft conversion process in 2.5 years when the Air Force fully certified the A-10 mission.

“For 15 years we’ve flown the A-10 with pride and unmatched skill and will continue to do so until the very last flight,” said Brig. Gen. Matthew Brancato, commander of the 127th Wing and Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

Selfridge Field was opened July 1, 1917 when the Michigan National Guard took possession of the former Joy Aviation Field, and transferred it to the Army a week later. After the Air Force became a separate military branch in 1947, its name changed to Selfridge Air Force Base. On July 1, 1971, the Air National Guard took command from the Air Force, changing the name to what it is today.

In 1972, the predecessor of the 107th FS converted from a reconnaissance to fighter mission and redesignated the unit as the 107th Tactical Fighter Squadron.

In more than a half century since taking on the “fighter” moniker, the 107th FS has operated three fighter and two attack missions: F-100 Super Sabre, A-7D Corsair II, F-16 Voodoo, F-16 Fighting Falcons, and the A-10. Converting the F-15EX will be a welcomed challenge, one that generations of 127th Wing Airmen have accomplished time and again throughout the history of the enduring fighter mission.

Brancato says this defining moment is owed to many people committed to the continued excellence of Selfridge and the 127th Wing.

“This milestone is the result of years of dedication and advocacy and we are deeply grateful to the President, Governor Whitmer, our congressional delegation and our military leadership for helping make it happen,” Brancato said. “Their efforts have ensured not just a new aircraft, but continued mission strength and stability for our Airmen.”