Harrison Township — Selfridge Air National Guard Base is canceling its popular open house and air show that was to be held in late May for “operational and readiness requirements,” the base announced Tuesday.
The annual show, which often draws thousands to the base in Harrison Township, was scheduled for May 30-31 of this year.
Brig. Gen. Leah Voelker, commander of the 127th Wing and Selfridge Air National Guard Base, said the cancellation is due to “operational and readiness requirements,” according to a press release from the base. The 127th Wing is a unit of the Michigan Air National Guard comprised of over 1,400 uniformed airmen.
The wing said that it and its mission partners, including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Customs and Border Protection, remain “committed to maintaining strong ties with the community.”
“We are grateful for the unwavering support of our neighbors and community partners,” Voelker said in the release. “We look forward to the opportunity to host our next open house and air show when mission requirements allow.”
Voelker assumed command of the 127th Wing and the base in December.
Her leadership comes at an important time at Selfridge as it prepares for major changes over the next several years.
The base’s A-10 Thunderbolt II and KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft will be phased out and will be replaced with a squadron of F-15EX fighters and a squadron of KC-46 tankers. Selfridge is preparing by improving its infrastructure and facilities, which will cost around $1 billion over five to seven years, Voelker said.
asnabes@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Selfridge cancels annual open house, air show
Reporting by Anne Snabes, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
