WASHINGTON, DC – During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) advocated for the long-term success of Selfridge Air National Guard Base and for the Department of Defense (DoD) to clean up perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda.

The hearing comes after Peters convened a meeting last week with Secretary Kendall and members of the Michigan congressional delegation to continue their bipartisan, bicameral push for a new fighter mission at Selfridge. It also builds on Peters’ longstanding efforts to address PFAS contamination and hold the DoD accountable to clean up these dangerous chemicals across Michigan – including at Wurtsmith.

“Selfridge plays a key role in our national defense and I’ll continue to hold the Air Force accountable to the long-term commitments they made to our state,” said Senator Peters, a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “As the Air Force works to reorient their fleet for future military operations, I’ll keep fighting to deliver federal investments at Selfridge – including resources for a new fighter mission. While we continue to advance Michigan’s strong defense footprint, I’ll also keep working to protect the health and safety of Michiganders and ensure the Defense Department is held accountable for PFAS cleanup efforts, including at Wurtsmith in Oscoda.”