A group of airmen walk on the tarmac on June 29, 2023, at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan, after returning from Europe. (Tom Demerly/U.S. Air Force)
(Tribune News Service) — The establishment if a center that would monitor national defense threats to the north has been proposed for Selfridge Air National Guard base in Michigan.
SANG has been evolving since the Michigan National Guard took possession of the former Joy Aviation Field in 1917 and while it has always played a key role in America's defense, a bipartisan bill requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a Northern Border Coordination Center at SANG using existing DHS components currently operating there would further support and expand its role.
"The threats we could potentially face in the future are likely to come from the north," said United States Sen. Gary Peters, who introduced the bipartisan bill directing the DHS to establish the Center, for coordinating norther border strategies from SANG.
The introduction of the bill follows a visit to Selfridge by DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas hosted by Peters.
"The federal government must ensure the needs of the northern border are met and that DHS personnel have what they need to effectively secure the northern border," said Peters. "Selfridge Air National Guard Base already houses a number of DHS missions and this center will work hand-in-hand with existing resources and capabilities, allowing the department to further enhance efforts to ensure that the northern border's security needs remain a priority."
The international border between the U.S. and Canada separates two nations that have a unique history of social, cultural and economic ties, which are mutually reinforced by security forces on both sides.
A report by DHS assessing Northern Border security in 2017 concluded while the northern border remains an area of limited threat in comparison to the southern border, it continues to play a crucial role in fostering U.S. economic growth and prosperity.
One example is the trade that moves between the two countries via the Great Lakes shipping channel.
"This relationship to the water has enabled the region to thrive and today, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region is the industrial and agricultural heartland of both the United States and Canada — with a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of more than $6 trillion," according to the Great Lakes Seaway report on the impact of the Port of Detroit. In fact if it were a country the products and services that this system produces would represent the third-largest economy in the world, behind the U.S. and China.
Keeping watch over this region and its shipping channels, which are vital to America's economic stability, is one of the missions of the 9th Coast Guard District, operating out of SANG, St. Clair Shores and Detroit. .
"Transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) are also active along the border and they continually adapt their drug production, smuggling methods, and routes to avoid detection by U.S. and Canadian law enforcement. Potential terror threats are primarily from homegrown violent extremists in Canada who are not included in the U.S. Government's consolidated terrorist watch list and could therefore enter the United States legally at Northern Border ports of entry (POEs) without suspicion," said the DHS report.
Once the center is established by the Northern Border Coordination Act, the DHS will be able to not only coordinate with the U.S. Coast Guard but more than 40 other tenants, including components of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Customs and Border protection operating out of SANG. The base is also home to nearly 5,000 full-time civilian and military personnel along with primary aircraft such as the A-10 Thunderbolt II and KC-135 Stratotanker (Michigan Air National Guard); CH-47 Chinook helicopter (Michigan Army National Guard); HH-65 Dolphin helicopter (U.S. Coast Guard); and a variety of light helicopters and fixed wing aircraft used by customs and border protection.
All of these resources, combined with additional personnel being added, would enable the center to support the implementation of a unique Northern Border security strategy that would include tracking security metrics, serving as a training location for DHS personnel and as a testing grounds for new border security technologies. The legislation also requires air and marine operations to maintain quick reaction capabilities at the center to support the border security mission along the northern border, including against the rising threat of illegal cross-border drone activity.
Criminals using drones to penetrate border security is one example of the threat posed.
"But the drones can also be very effective in patrolling the northern borders," said Peters, who was stationed at Selfridge while serving in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
He has a history of prioritizing the needs of the northern border and its ports of entry including legislation to address personnel shortages and funding for non-intrusive inspection systems designed to prevent illegal activities such as drug trafficking.
"Selfridge is really very special in terms of homeland security," said Peters, who was among the officials who recently attended the groundbreaking for SANG's new $28 million aircraft hangar that will not only enable SANG to support a new fighter jet mission but house maintenance and leadership/staff offices and classrooms. "This center will be of national importance to ensure that our northern border is secure."
Longtime former congressional member and current county Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller concurred.
"I applaud Senator Peters' efforts to make Selfridge a hub for Northern Border Security and coordination. With the Border Patrol, CBP Air and Marine Wing and the Coast Guard there, and the partnership with the Air National Guard, this is truly a total force concept," said Miller of the Air and Space Forces Civic Leaders Program. "Selfridge is perfectly positioned to carry out this mission. Securing our northern border is a critical element of our national defense and Senator Peters' advocacy is spot on."
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