WASHINGTON, D.C. –The U.S. House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday approved $162 million to improve and extend the runway at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. The funds are needed to prepare for the new fighter mission that President Trump announced when he visited Selfridge in April of last year.
U.S. Rep. John James, whose district includes Selfridge, made the funding request.
“This is huge for Macomb County, and for Michigan,” said James, R-Shelby Township. “Selfridge is critical for homeland security and protecting our northern border; it’s also a major economic driver in Southeast Michigan. Getting this funding is necessary so that work can get underway.”
Selfridge is slated to get 21 F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets, as well as a squadron of KC-46A Pegasus refueling tankers. The funding must still pass Congress and get signed into law, but Tuesday's committee action marks the single largest approval for funds in Selfridge’s modernization project to date.
It also shows significant commitment for the project from the Republican-controlled U.S. House. The funding included in the budget for Selfridge represents 56 percent of the entire amount of money allotted for military construction for the Air National Guard across the entire nation.
“President Trump delivered for Michigan when he chose Macomb County as the home of this new fighter mission. Now, we need to make sure the base is mission ready,” James said.
The $162 million appropriation is for three projects:
$110M to improve and extend the runway
$24M for taxiway Bravo
$28M for taxiway Alpha
James requested the funding for Selfridge in March through the appropriations process and then testified in front of the Armed Services Committee on April 15. The $162 million appropriation was included in the Military Construction & Veterans Affairs appropriation.
