--- title: What Military Bases are in Michigan? slug: what-military-bases-are-in-michigan description: >- A guide to active military bases in Michigan, from Selfridge Air National Guard Base to the Detroit Arsenal, plus PCS tips and veteran-friendly agents. publishedAt: '2025-07-16T09:00:00.000Z' updatedAt: '2026-06-19T00:00:00.000Z' author: VeteranPCS categories: - US Military Bases canonical: 'https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/what-military-bases-are-in-michigan' componentSlug: us-military-bases stateSlug: michigan --- # What Military Bases are in Michigan? 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](https://www.127wg.ang.af.mil/About-127th-Wing/Fact-Sheets/Article/443603/selfridge-air-national-guard-base/) and the [127th Wing home page](https://www.127wg.ang.af.mil/). ### 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](https://www.110wg.ang.af.mil/About-Us/) and the [MQ-9 Reaper fact sheet](https://www.110wg.ang.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Article/2633454/mq-9-reaper/). ## 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](https://tacom.army.mil/about/detroit-arsenal) and the [U.S. Army Garrison Detroit newcomers page](https://home.army.mil/detroit/my-fort/newcomers). ### 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](https://minationalguard.dodlive.mil/About-Us/Installations/Camp-Grayling/) and the [Michigan National Guard land and ranges page](https://www.michigan.gov/dmva/nadwc/land). ## Coast Guard Bases in Michigan ### Coast Guard Air Station Detroit Coast Guard Air Station Detroit operates from **Selfridge Air National Guard Base** and was commissioned in **1966**. The station has about **120 personnel** and flies the **MH-65 Dolphin** helicopter to provide year-round **search and rescue** coverage across the **Great Lakes**. It is part of the Coast Guard's Ninth District, which oversees the Great Lakes region. **Key Missions:** - Search and rescue across the Great Lakes - Law enforcement and aircraft operations - Year-round MH-65 Dolphin helicopter coverage Learn more on the [Coast Guard Air Station Detroit fact sheet](https://www.127wg.ang.af.mil/About-127th-Wing/Fact-Sheets/Article/4225845/coast-guard-air-station-detroit/) and the [Air Station Detroit unit page](https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/District-9/Ninth-District-Units/AIRSTA-Detroit/). ## Moving to Michigan? Let Us Help You Find a Home Relocating to Michigan for a military assignment comes with unique challenges, but **VeteranPCS** is here to help. Whether you need help understanding a **VA Loan** (a home loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, often with no down payment), finding **military-friendly communities**, or working with **experienced real estate agents**, we are committed to making your **PCS move** simple. Our network of **veteran and military-friendly real estate agents** can assist with: - Finding **on-base or off-base housing** - Connecting with **VA loan specialists** - Understanding the **best communities near each installation** If you are getting ready to move to Michigan, **contact us today** to connect with an **agent or lender** who understands the unique needs of military families. ## Plan Your PCS to Michigan Michigan's installations cluster around metro Detroit, with Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County and the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, while Camp Grayling sits farther north, so your move depends on your orders. Start by mapping the timeline with the [ultimate PCS checklist and timeline](/blog/the-ultimate-pcs-checklist-and-timeline-for-active-duty-military-personnel), and if this is a first move, our guide on [what you need to know to prepare to PCS](/blog/preparing-to-pcs-what-you-need-to-know) covers the essentials. If you plan to buy, start with [the benefits of a VA loan](/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-va-loan) and our [complete guide to buying your first home with a VA loan](/blog/complete-guide-to-buying-your-first-home-with-a-va-loan). And because the right local guide makes a difference, here is [why military members should choose a veteran-friendly realtor](/blog/why-military-members-should-choose-a-veteran-friendly-realtor). When you are ready for a local read on a specific base or neighborhood, you can ask Cassandra Gibson, a VeteranPCS agent in the Detroit area, for current listings and prices. Know another family with orders to Michigan? Share this guide with your military network so they can plan their move too. ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ### 1. What is the largest military base in Michigan? **Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center**, in northern Michigan, is the largest. It covers about **148,000 acres** and is the largest National Guard training facility in the United States. **Selfridge Air National Guard Base**, near Detroit, is the largest air installation, with more than 40 tenant commands. ### 2. How many military bases are in Michigan? Michigan is home to **four major active installations**, supporting the Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard, with much of the work done through the National Guard. ### 3. What is the main Air National Guard base in Michigan? **Selfridge Air National Guard Base** is the main air installation in Michigan. It is home to the 127th Wing, which flies the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the KC-135 Stratotanker. **W.K. Kellogg Air National Guard Base** in Battle Creek hosts the 110th Wing and its MQ-9 Reaper mission. ### 4. What is the main Army presence in Michigan? The **Detroit Arsenal** in Warren is the only active-duty installation in Michigan and the headquarters of the Army's Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM). **Camp Grayling** serves as the main Michigan Army National Guard training center. [**Connect with our Agents & Lenders in Michigan Today**](https://veteranpcs.com/michigan) and make your move stress-free.