President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Selfridge Air National Guard Base (ANGB) in Harrison Township, Michigan, will become home to a new unit of F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets.
“Very soon we will replace the A-10 with 21 new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets, the best in the world,” President Trump said during a visit to the base, calling the shift a major upgrade for the facility and a step toward strengthening the U.S. Air Force’s future capabilities.
The news comes just a day after lawmakers proposed a major defense spending boost, including billions to fast-track F-15EX procurement.
💪🇺🇸 President Trump, at Selfridge Air National Guard base in Michigan:
“I am proud to announce that very soon we will replace the retiring A-10 Warthogs with 21 brand new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets.” pic.twitter.com/Pi5vJtCP1a
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 29, 2025
The F-15EX is designed primarily for air-to-air combat and is one of the most advanced variants of the F-15 platform. According to The Aviationist, this version is designed for a “highly-networked air combat environment.”
The news outlet noted that the F-15EX Eagle II retains its precision ground attack and close air support capabilities, while expanding its role with advanced air-to-air and air defense suppression capabilities. It is built to operate in a networked combat environment alongside fifth-generation aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II and the F-22 Raptor.
Recently, the U.S. Air Force announced plans to buy 98 F-15EX fighter jets. Originally, the Air Force had intended to procure a larger fleet, but changing priorities and financial limitations have led to adjustments in the total.
The War Zone said the fleet of 98 jets would be enough to equip five operational squadrons with 18 aircraft each, along with a small number reserved for training and testing.
Selfridge ANGB is home to the 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard, which operates both the A-10C Thunderbolt II and the KC-135 Stratotanker. The base also hosts units from all five branches of the U.S. military, making it one of the most diverse and strategically important installations in the country.
