Press Releases

Congressman John James Issues Statement on Bicameral, Bipartisan Effort to Protect Selfridge

James leads the Michigan delegation’s newest pitch for more missions at Selfridge ANGB

Washington, DC, February 3, 2023

Today Congressman John James, alongside his Senate counterparts and House colleagues, led Michigan’s 118^th congressional delegation on protecting the future of Selfridge Air National Guard Base and advocating for a long-term fighter mission.

The members of the Michigan delegation signed onto a letter to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall III this week and both chambers introduced resolutions emphasizing the historical contributions and critical importance of Selfridge to the United States’ long-term defense. In addition, James offered the following comment:

“Our next gen fighters are trending away from the Nation’s heartland and industrial base toward the coasts. This leaves our strategic and expensive assets ever more vulnerable to both enemy attacks and the increasingly frequent and severe effects of climate change. Furthermore, Michigan is already home to national defense complements, such as the United States Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, Fort Custer, Camp Grayling, and the number one manufacturing district in America. Investing in Selfridge Air National Guard Base is a logical next step.”

Selfridge Air National Guard Base was commissioned in 1917. Its location in America’s heartland, access to bodies of water, and proximity to national defense complements make it an essential pillar of Michigan’s “Arsenal of Democracy.”

###