The Michigan Air National Guard’s 127th Wing cancelled the Selfridge Open House and Air Show on Tuesday. The event had been scheduled for May 30–31, 2026, but operational and readiness requirements affecting the wing’s A-10 Thunderbolt II and KC-135 Stratotanker fleets forced the decision. The next show won’t happen until 2028—a two-year gap that reflects how military operational demands are reshaping the air show calendar across multiple commands.
Brig. Gen. Leah Voelker, commander of the 127th Wing and Selfridge Air National Guard Base, made the call. She explained that mission commitments had to come first. “We are grateful for the unwavering support of our neighbors and community partners,” Voelker said in an official statement. “We look forward to the opportunity to host our next open house and air show when mission requirements allow.”
This would have been Voelker’s first air show as base commander since assuming command in December 2025. A command pilot with more than 3,500 flight hours, she spent most of her career with the 127th Wing—first as a C-130 Hercules pilot, then as a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot before moving into progressive command positions.
What Was Planned for 2026
The open house was going to be a free, two-day public event at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, Macomb County. The 127th Wing’s own A-10s and KC-135s would have provided static displays and aerial demonstrations.
The 2024 show drew strong crowds and featured the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Before that, the July 2022 event pulled in more than 100,000 visitors. Selfridge has a long history with air shows—the first public flying demonstration dates to the 1920s, and the base itself has logged 107 years of continuous flying operations.
The Operational Reality
Selfridge isn’t alone. Military installations across the country are scaling back or postponing 2026 air shows. NAS El Centro, NAS Lemoore, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base, and Shaw Air Force Base have all cancelled or postponed their events. The reasons are similar: heightened force protection requirements and resources being diverted to ongoing operations.
The 127th Wing’s KC-135 tankers are stretched thin. On top of that, the wing is sending its final A-10 deployment before the aircraft retires from the 127th in 2026. Voelker told personnel in December 2025 that “whether at home station or forward deployed, our Michigan Airmen are making an impact for our Air Force and for our nation.”
What’s Next
The 127th Wing committed to bringing the Selfridge Open House and Air Show back in 2028. That timing coincides with the arrival of the F-15EX Eagle II fighters, which will replace the retiring A-10 fleet. The wing is undergoing what it calls “Mission Next”—a comprehensive modernization that includes transitioning to 21 F-15EX aircraft and new KC-46 Pegasus tankers, backed by nearly $1 billion in construction and infrastructure upgrades.
For now, Michigan aviation fans can still catch Thunder Over Michigan at Willow Run Airport in July 2026. The 127th Wing noted that it typically hosts open house events every 2–5 years depending on operational commitments. No date has been set for the 2028 show yet, but registration information should come in the months ahead.
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