Selfridge Air National Guard Base

Selfridge Air National Guard Base is located in Harrison Township, Michigan, near Mount Clemens. Established in 1917 as Joy Aviation Field, it was one of 32 Air Service training camps created following the United States' entry into World War I. The installation is named after 1st Lieutenant Thomas E. Selfridge. Initially 640 acres, the site was used to train personnel in flying, bombing, radio, and photography. During the inter-war period, the base hosted the 1st Pursuit Group and became a permanent military installation in 1922. During World War II, it served as a station for the 332d Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group. In 1947, the facility was renamed Selfridge Air Force Base, eventually expanding to its current size of 3,600 acres. On July 1, 1971, the facility was transferred to the Michigan Air National Guard.

The 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard serves as the host unit. It is a combined Air Combat Command and Air Mobility Command organization. Stationed flying units include the 107th Fighter Squadron, which operates A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft, and the 171st Air Refueling Squadron, which operates KC-135T Stratotankers. As a joint reserve forces base, the facility hosts more than 30 tenant units from all branches of the Armed Forces, including the Air Force Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard. Coast Guard Air Station Detroit is stationed at the base and operates MH-65D Dolphin helicopters for search and rescue and maritime security. Other resident units include the 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, and Detachment 1, Company B, 3-238th General Support Aviation Battalion, which operates CH-47 Chinook helicopters.

Infrastructure at the base supports diverse military and federal operations. U.S. Army Garrison-Selfridge supports the Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) regarding regional vehicle construction. The facility houses the headquarters for the U.S. Border Patrol Detroit Sector and a Customs and Border Protection Operational Integration Center. On-base facilities include the Selfridge Military Air Museum and an outdoor air park. The base also hosts the headquarters of the Michigan Wing of the Civil Air Patrol and the STARBASE educational initiative.