HARRISON TOWNSHIP, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) visited Selfridge Air National Guard base to highlight bipartisan legislation he authored that was recently signed into law, which will expand the duties of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Northern Border Mission Center. Peters secured his legislation as a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act that was recently signed into law, and previously secured $3 million in March 2024 to establish and operate the Northern Border Mission Center at Selfridge, to be collocated with the base’s current DHS components. The Center, which DHS is already working to set up, will support wide-ranging efforts to strengthen border security.
Peters was joined by Michigan National Guard Adjutant General for Air Brigadier General Daniel J. Kramer II, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, and Macomb County Public Works Commissioner and Selfridge Honorary Commander Candice Miller to underline how the Center will further expand Selfridge’s robust capabilities and contribute to its critical role in protecting our national security.
“The Northern Border Mission Center cements Selfridge’s role as an integral component of our Homeland Security operations, serving as an invaluable resource for helping to track threats along the Northern Border, including illicit drug trafficking and the rise of illegal drone use. The Center will also support important training exercises for Department of Homeland Security personnel, while also acting as a testing ground for new border security technologies,” said Senator Peters, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “I’m proud to have had the support of key local partners to secure this provision, which will help us meet our shared goals of ensuring the long-term success of Selfridge.”
"The Northern Border Mission Center at Selfridge Air National Guard Base will be an epicenter where our service women and men, civilian personnel and public safety professionals will continue to protect our borders and our freedoms for years to come. This not only enhances our Northern Border security but also lays the groundwork for further advancements, such as the potential installation of next-generation fighter jets, reinforcing America’s defense capabilities. Thank you, Senator Peters, for your continued work to establish and expand the center’s important role at Selfridge to improve our Northern Border security,” said Mark Hackel, Macomb County Executive.
“The Northern Border Mission Center not only reaffirms the importance of Selfridge Air National Guard Base in our nation’s defense, but it is also critical to our nation’s security efforts to secure our Northern Border. Having this center will help ensure that, while creating enormous opportunities at SANGB in the future. We appreciate Senator Peters’ hard work to establish and operate the center here,” said Candice S. Miller, former Congresswoman who currently is Macomb County’s public works commissioner, an honorary commander of Selfridge and member of the Air and Space Forces Civic Leaders Program.
The Northern Border Mission Center will serve as a training location for DHS personnel and act as a testing ground for border security technology. The Center will coordinate with state, local, and Tribal governments, and other key stakeholders, to ensure DHS can fulfill its border security mission and address evolving threats at the Northern Border, including illicit drug trafficking, human smuggling, and the rise of illegal drone use.
Establishment of the Northern Border Mission Center builds on Peters’ consistent efforts to position Selfridge for long-term success. In January 2024, he announced that the U.S. Air Force selected Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County to host a new squadron of twelve KC-46A refueling tankers. The decision came after Peters led a bipartisan, bicameral group of Michigan delegation members in urging U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall to select Selfridge for a new squadron of these next-generation tankers, which will be deployed by the U.S. Air Force for the next 50 years.
In addition to the KC-46 mission, Peters remains committed to supporting a new, long-term fighter mission for Selfridge. In December 2024, he fought to include language in the most recent national defense bill encouraging the Air Force to plan for replacement of the 25 Air National Guard fighter aircraft squadrons across the country with advanced fighter aircraft – including the A-10 squadron based at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
To download photos from Peters’ event at Selfridge, click here.
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