The Michigan Air National Guard’s 127th Wing is implementing the concept of, “Mission Next,” a sweeping modernization effort that will bring both the F-15EX Eagle II and KC-46 Pegasus aircraft missions to Selfridge Air National Guard Base. The conversion, one of the most significant in the 127th Wing’s history, includes nearly $1 billion in construction and infrastructure upgrades and will create hundreds of new training and job opportunities.
“Our Selfridge Airmen are fully committed and leaning into this effort to bring the most modern, most capable aircraft to our state and to be ready to fully execute our next missions at the highest level,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, Michigan National Guard adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. “We are grateful to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and our committed congressional delegation for prioritizing this initiative, ensuring that Michigan remains an integral piece in the nation’s defense strategy.”
In preparation for the first F-15EX arriving in 2028, Rogers and other leadership from MING and 127th Wing, travelled to Boeing’s F-15EX assembly plant near St. Louis to review delivery timelines and program milestones.
“’Mission Next’ is a complex, carefully sequenced effort,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Leah Voelker, 127th Wing commander. “Every piece — construction, equipment, training and talent — must come together with precision so we can execute today’s mission with excellence while confidently stepping into our next chapter.”
During a visit to Selfridge ANG Base on April 29, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the F-15EX would replace the 127th Wing’s A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft mission, operated since 2008. He also reaffirmed that the Wing would receive brand-new KC-46s to replace its KC-135 Stratotanker fleet, in service with the 127th Wing since 2006. The first KC-46s are expected to arrive in 2030.
Construction to support the dual-mission transition is already underway. A $28 million, 41,900-square-foot hangar for fighter maintenance is scheduled for completion in February 2026. Overall, the base is slated for an estimated $985 million in new construction through 2031.
“This isn’t just new buildings,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Daniel J. Kramer II, assistant adjutant general and commander of the Michigan Air National Guard. “While this will be the most significant change to the Selfridge skyline since the original permanent structures were built in the 1930s, we are also shifting the runway and installing new power and sewer lines. This is a full-scale modernization of Selfridge infrastructure.”
Even as ‘Mission Next’ accelerates, the 127th Wing continues worldwide operations. The 171st Air Refueling Squadron and 191st Maintenance Squadron, known as the “Michigan Six-Pack,” recently returned from a short-notice deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Many Airmen from the 127th Mission Support Group, 127th Medical Group and the 127th Wing headquarters element are currently deployed in the region. The 107th Fighter Squadron, known as the “Red Devils,” along with the 127th Maintenance Group, are scheduled for their final A-10 deployment in 2026.
“It’s truly inspiring to watch the attitude, effort and resilience our Airmen bring to today’s mission while embracing the demands of what comes tomorrow,” Voelker said. “The coming years will be transformational for Selfridge and I’m confident our Airmen are ready to rise to every challenge as a team.”
To support the updated aircraft and mission sets nearly all of the 127th Wing’s nearly 1,000 aircraft-related duty positions will require new training ranging from formal Air Force technical schooling training to extensive on-the-job instruction.
The transitions from A-10 to F-15EX and from KC-135 to KC-46 will be the first time since the 127th Wing will receive two new aircraft types directly from the production line.