Selfridge Air National Guard Base is a United States Air National Guard installation located in the Detroit metropolitan area of Michigan, United States. The base occupies land primarily in Mount Clemens and St. Clair Shores in Macomb County, adjacent to the larger Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) Selfridge.
History
- Establishment: The facility was originally opened in 1915 as Selfridge Field, one of the first military airfields in the United States.
- Naming: It was named in honor of 1st Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, who was the first person to die in a powered airplane crash (1908).
- World War I and II: During the First World War the field served as a training site for pilots and support personnel. In the Second World War the installation functioned as a major fighter‑interceptor and air‑defense base, hosting a variety of Army Air Forces units.
- Cold‑War Era: After the war the base became part of the United States Air Force and was redesignated Selfridge Air Force Base. It hosted air‑defense interceptor squadrons and later, air‑lift and tactical fighter units.
- Transition to Guard: In 1971 the Air Force transferred primary operational control to the Michigan Air National Guard, and the installation has been designated Selfridge Air National Guard Base since that time. The adjacent naval facilities were consolidated under the joint reserve base structure.
Current Mission and Tenant Units
Selfridge Air National Guard Base serves as a multi‑service installation that supports a range of missions for the Air National Guard, Army National Guard, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, and other federal and state agencies. Major tenant units, according to publicly released information, include:
| Service | Notable Unit(s) | Primary Role |
|---|---|---|
| Air National Guard | Michigan Air National Guard, 127th Wing | Provides airlift, aerial refueling, and, historically, close‑air support and air‑defense capabilities. |
| Navy Reserve | Naval Air Reserve units (including maritime patrol and transport components) | Conducts naval aviation training and operational support. |
| Marine Corps Reserve | Marine Corps Reserve aviation detachments | Supports Marine aviation training and readiness. |
| Army National Guard | Michigan Army National Guard support and medical units | Provides medical, logistical, and emergency‑response capabilities for state and federal missions. |
Facilities
The base contains runways, aircraft maintenance and support facilities, flight training areas, and a full complement of support services (medical, logistics, housing, and recreational). Because the installation shares airfield infrastructure with NAS JRB Selfridge, the runway complex and control tower are used jointly by all tenant services.
Geographic and Strategic Significance
Located near the industrial hub of Detroit, Selfridge provides rapid access to the Great Lakes region and the broader Midwestern United States. Its proximity to major transportation corridors makes it a key hub for mobilizing air and ground forces for both domestic emergency response and overseas deployments.
Public Access and Community Relations
The base maintains a public affairs office that provides information on community events, air shows, and outreach programs. Certain areas of the installation are accessible to the public during designated events, while most operational zones remain restricted for security reasons.
References
- United States Department of Defense fact sheets (publicly released).
- Michigan Air National Guard official website.
- Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Selfridge public information releases.
All information presented reflects the current publicly available encyclopedia and official sources; no speculative or unverified details are included.
