At the July 5 City Council meeting, Council members passed a resolution in support of Selfridge Air National Guard Base being selected as a possible site for the F-35 Lightning II Aircraft Mission.
The F-35 aircraft is considered to be the world's most advanced multi-role aircraft combining advanced stealth capabilities with fighter aircraft speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations, and advanced logistics and sustainment.
The United States Air Force is currently deliberating the final site selection for the F-35 Lightning II Mission. Selfridge ANGB, 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard, along with its Michigan training facilities in Alpena and Grayling, is among five finalists competing for the mission.
Sterling Heights is home to major defense contractors including BAE Systems Land and Armaments along with General Dynamics Land Systems. Sterling Heights is also home to the State of Michigan Defense Center. The defense community is an integral part of the City and the entire County.
Selfridge ANGB has been a staunch community partner as well as a strategic epicenter for mission readiness at home and abroad. Home to all five branches of the armed forces, the City recognizes the unique and important asset that it shares. Nearly 3,000 full-time civilian and military personnel and 3,000 members of the Air and Army National Guard and the Reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces stand to defend residents of Sterling Heights. On behalf of the residents, the City fully supports the continued evolution of base capabilities.
The enduring success of the 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard demonstrates that this is the ideal region for the F-35 Lightning II Mission and will ensure its long term success.
Media with questions can contact the Community Relations Director Bridget Kozlowski at (586) 446-2471 or bkoz@sterling-heights.net.