Peters Applauds Selection of Michigan for New National Guard Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today after the National Guard approved the stationing of a new Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion in Michigan. This new battalion will expand the Michigan National Guard’s intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare capabilities. The activation of the battalion will occur in Fiscal Year 2026 and a specific location within Michigan is to be determined.

“Michigan is the proud home to a number of military installations that are critical components of our national defense. I’m pleased the National Guard has selected Michigan for a new Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion,” said Senator Peters, a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. “This decision is a testament to Michigan’s vital defense footprint and advances our growing ability to be on the forefront of cutting-edge military capabilities. I’ve highlighted Michigan’s military installations and strategic positioning to the Department of Defense, and I’m glad this basing decision reflects our state’s importance to our long-term national defense. I’ll continue advocating for Michigan as defense leaders make determinations about future military operations.”

“We are incredibly excited that the Michigan National Guard was selected to receive one of four Intelligence Electronic Warfare & Sensors (IEWS) Battalions as part of the U.S. Army’s Structure Memorandum for FYs 23-27 – and we thank Senator Peters for his advocacy on this,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. “This decision clearly demonstrates Michigan capabilities and our ongoing commitment to being on the forefront for new investments as we continue to support our national defense and adapt to the ever changing conditions that will be present in future war fights. With this IEWS Battalion we will also be well positioned to enhance our existing capabilities at the National All Domain Warfighting Center through new investments to build out our secure communications facilities and equip ourselves with the instrumentation and equipment necessary for these new missions.”

The decision to select Michigan comes after Peters questioned Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth during her nomination hearing about the allocation process for Multi-Domain Task Forces for the National Guard, which Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalions like the one to be stationed in Michigan are a key component of. Peters has also raised the need for a Multi-Domain Task Force for the National Guard with other Department of Defense (DoD) nominees. Multi-Domain Task Forces are designed to ensure the military can respond to evolving or rapid threats on multiple fronts, including air, land, water, space, cyber and informational environments. Peters secured language in the Fiscal Year 2022 national defense bill that advanced to the full Senate, directing that the Army come up with a plan for how National Guard units would conduct multi-domain operations.

This summer Peters secured significant commitments that ensures the military’s commitment to Michigan – including at Selfridge Air National Guard Base and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center. Peters also helped advance the bipartisan annual national defense bill to the full Senate, which includes authorization for nearly $128 million in investments for military facilities across Michigan, while also supporting provisions to strengthen our national security and give our servicemembers a pay raise.

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