Getty Images/U.S. Air Force - A-10 Warthogs In Flight

May is National Military Appreciation Month and 104.3 WOMC salutes the fine men and women who help keep Selfridge Air National Guard Base up and running. It’s the only base in the U.S. that serves as home to all five branches of the U.S. military.

Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township sits on the shores of Lake St. Clair. The base was named after Lt. Thomas Selfridge who holds the distinction of becoming the first U.S. military officer to die in an aviation mishap in 1908 while flying with Orville Wright at the controls.

Selfridge is now home to the 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard which is a combined Air Combat Command and Air Mobility Command base. The 127th Wing is also performs weather and other duties.

This is the only base in the country that hosts all five branches of the U.S. military – Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy. Notice I was careful to put those in alphabetical order! We don’t have any favorites. We just appreciate and commend our troops for their fine service to their country and community!

Passing by the base you’ll mainly see A-10 Warthogs buzzing overhead. They are tank killers with a huge gun designed to make short work out of even the toughest tanks. You will also see other visitors like C-130 Hercs, KC-135 Flying Filling Stations (tankers), P-3 Orions and soon we may see the replacement for the P-3, the P-8 Poseidon. Various fighter jets come and go, too. And of course it’s always great when they bring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels into the base for a summer show. And by the way, the Blue Angels will fly at this summer’s Thunder Over Michigan air show at Willow Run Airport in Ypsi on July 23rd and 24th. In my opinion, they are the best precision flying team in the world. Always a thrill!

Naturally civilians are restricted as far as access to the base is concerned. However there is something fun you can do with your family and that’s visit the Selfridge Military Air Museum.

Again – the staff of WOMC would like to sincerely thank the fine men and women at Selfridge Air National Guard Base for a job well done. And thanks for being such a giving part of our community. We know you do a lot more than just “military stuff” like Starbase to name just one. You’re a good neighbor and we’re lucky to have you here.

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