Whitmer credits Trump with securing F-15 fighter jet mission for Michigan

Governor Gretchen Whitmer told California Governor Gavin Newsom that she finally secured a fighter jet mission for Michigan thanks to Donald Trump, after failing to do so during the Biden administration. The initiative, known as "Mission Next," will retire the A-10 Warthog fleet at Selfridge Air National Guard Base and install 21 brand-new F-15EX Eagle II aircraft, along with related construction and training investments.

Whitmer said the accomplishment underscores the need to work with leaders across the aisle, especially after Michigan voted for Trump in the 2024 election. Trump had highlighted the new jets in a 2025 speech to National Guard members at Selfridge, describing them as the most powerful aircraft worldwide. A White House spokeswoman later praised Trump for preserving the base and boosting U.S. military readiness. The discussion also referenced Whitmer's earlier viral moment trying to avoid a photo in the Oval Office and her reputation as a potential 2028 presidential contender.