Hooah! Here’s A Look At Michigan’s Mighty Military Bases
There are a total of 1.3 million active duty military and more than 800,000 reserve forces in the United States. The army is the largest U.S. military service, followed by the navy, air force, marine corps, and coast guard.
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With many minds on Russia and Ukraine, let's look at Michigan's mighty military.
Michigan has 11 active military bases comprised of Army & Air Force bases and due to the Great Lakes, Michigan is one of the only inland states to have Coast Guard bases too.
- Camp Grayling has been in use since 1913. It serves as a training facility for the Michigan National Guard and is their main training facility. The base is over 147,000 acres. It is also considered the largest military base in Michigan.
- The Detroit Arsenal, located in Warren, was built by Chrysler in 1941 to produce tanks for the war effort. The site is still responsible for the development and production of tanks and other heavy vehicles.
- Fort Custer in Battle Creek has been operational since 1917. It is an Army training base that hosts training exercises for the Army, National Guard, and National Guard units from surrounding states. It is also home to the Naval reserve support center, which provides support for Navy troops in the area. A building on the post was once part of NORAD's missile command that could have launched nuclear weapons.
- The Michigan Army National Guard Base in Lansing is responsible for recruiting and retention. Since 1962, air units of the Army National Guard have been stationed on the base.
- Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center which reopened in 1954 functions as a training and readiness center for the Air National Guard. The base has supported emergency relief efforts throughout the country, as well as assisting with military operations, including Iraqi Freedom.
- Since 1917, Selfridge ANG in Harrison Township provides air support for the Navy and Army reserves. It is one of the largest joint reserves bases in the country.
- Springfield Air National Guard base is one of three Air National Guard Bases in Michigan and has been in existence since 1955 in Springfield. It is home to the 178th wing, which supports emergency operations throughout the state.
- Since 1945, Coast Guard Station Traverse City operates as a base for all roles performed by the US Coast Guard. This includes search and rescue operations, and providing support for homeland security and law enforcement. USCG Traverse City is the smallest military base in Michigan.
- The Coast Guard Station at Saginaw river has seen active search and rescue operations since 1842 when a lighthouse was built. It performs search and rescue operations, and supports law enforcement and other operations in the area.
- Since 1874, The Coast Guard base in Detroit is the central operating point for all Coast Guard Stations in the state. In addition to the standard search and rescue and law enforcement roles, USCG Station Detroit also undertakes ice breaking operations.
MORE: 5 Awesome Things About Michigan