Michigan has a smaller military footprint than some states, but the installations it does have carry important missions. The state is home to four major active installations, supporting the Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard, with much of that work done through the National Guard. Whether you are PCSing to Michigan (Permanent Change of Station, the military term for an official move to a new duty station), thinking about a move, or just curious about military history, this guide gives you a clear overview of the key military bases in the state.
Overview of Military Installations in Michigan
Michigan military bases cover a range of missions. They include air defense and refueling, remotely piloted aircraft and cyber operations, ground vehicle research and repair, and search and rescue across the Great Lakes. The state also hosts the largest National Guard training center in the country. Together these installations keep thousands of service members and their families moving in and out on PCS orders, mostly around metro Detroit and the central and northern parts of the state.
Active Military Bases in Michigan
- Selfridge Air National Guard Base
- W.K. Kellogg Air National Guard Base (Battle Creek)
- Detroit Arsenal (Warren)
- Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center
Air Force Bases in Michigan
Selfridge Air National Guard Base
Selfridge Air National Guard Base, in Harrison Township in Macomb County, is one of the oldest continuously operating military air fields in the nation. The military has flown from the field since 1917. The host unit is the 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard, which flies the A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft and the KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft. Selfridge is unusual because it is home to more than 40 tenant commands and personnel from five of the nation's six military services.
Key Missions:
- A-10 Thunderbolt II attack operations
- KC-135 Stratotanker air refueling
- Hosting Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard units
See the official Selfridge Air National Guard Base fact sheet and the 127th Wing home page.
W.K. Kellogg Air National Guard Base
W.K. Kellogg Air National Guard Base, in Battle Creek, is home to the 110th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard. The Air National Guard has flown from Kellogg Field since 1947, the same year the Air Force became its own branch. Today the 110th Wing runs an MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft mission, an elite cyber defense squadron, and an Air Operations Group that provides command and control around the globe.
Key Missions:
- MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft operations
- Cyber defense and protection
- Command and control through the Air Operations Group
Learn more on the 110th Wing About Us page and the MQ-9 Reaper fact sheet.
Army Bases in Michigan
Detroit Arsenal
The Detroit Arsenal, in Warren, is the only active-duty military installation in Michigan and the only active-duty Army installation in three states (Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana). It is the headquarters of the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) and home to the Ground Vehicle Systems Center, which leads research on Army combat and tactical vehicles. The arsenal has no airfield; its largely civilian workforce of more than 6,000 people focuses on building, testing, and sustaining ground vehicles.
Key Missions:
- Headquarters for the Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM)
- Research and development of Army ground vehicles
- Sustainment and readiness support for combat and tactical vehicles
Read more on the Serving at the Detroit Arsenal page and the U.S. Army Garrison Detroit newcomers page.
Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center
Camp Grayling, near Grayling in northern Michigan, is the largest National Guard training facility in the United States. It covers about 148,000 acres of four-season training land and is run by the Michigan Army National Guard. Founded in 1913, it hosts annual training for thousands of Guard soldiers and supports units from across the services with its ranges and maneuver areas.
Key Missions:
- Maneuver and live-fire training for National Guard units
- Annual training for the Michigan Army National Guard
- Joint training support across the services
See the official Camp Grayling page and the Michigan National Guard land and ranges page.
