Trump Announces 21 F-15EX Jets for Selfridge Base, Boosts Defense Commitment

President Donald Trump announced that Michigan's Selfridge Air National Guard Base will receive 21 new Boeing F-15EX fighter jets, replacing the aging A-10 aircraft and securing the base's future as a key national defense hub. The move was celebrated in a bipartisan manner, with Governor Gretchen Whitmer joining Trump at the base and expressing gratitude for the decision, highlighting the base's significant economic and strategic importance to Michigan. The announcement, made during Trump's 100th day of his second term, addresses longstanding concerns about the base's potential closure and is expected to have a major positive impact on the local economy and job market. Alongside the new fighter jets, Selfridge is also slated to receive KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling aircraft and major facility upgrades in the coming years. Trump also outlined broader defense initiatives, including a proposed national defense budget increase and a new missile defense shield for Michigan. Both Trump and Whitmer emphasized the bipartisan effort involved in securing the future of Selfridge and its importance to the state and national security.