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Calhoun County urges support for WK Kellogg Air Guard Station as A‑10s remain through 2009
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Summary
The board adopted a resolution urging the Air Force and state leaders to consider missions that use the WK Kellogg Air Guard Station’s infrastructure after hearing that the 15 A‑10s stationed there will remain until 2009 and Michigan is to receive 24 A‑10s.
The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution on Oct. 6 urging the Air Force and state leaders to consider future missions for the WK Kellogg Air Guard Station in Battle Creek.
Jan Burland, director of corporate projects for Battle Creek Unlimited, reported that the 15 A‑10 aircraft currently at the Battle Creek Air National Guard base will remain there until 2009 and that the State of Michigan is scheduled to receive 24 A‑10s that will be assigned at the discretion of the governor and the Michigan adjutant general. Burland said Selfridge Air National Guard Base currently lacks infrastructure for the A‑10s and that assets could be split between bases; she added that before changes take effect the Air Force must find an additional mission for Battle Creek’s facilities and personnel.
The resolution asks the Air Force, Governor Jennifer Granholm and Michigan Adjutant General Thomas Cutler to consider missions that would use the WK Kellogg station’s training, maintenance and personnel infrastructure and cites the airport’s nine‑story air traffic control tower, 10,000‑foot runway and available expansion capability.
Why it matters: keeping missions and aircraft at the station preserves jobs and local investment tied to the base and could affect regional training and reserve operations.
Next steps: the resolution is a formal expression of local support; any actual reassignment or mission decision rests with the Air Force and state leadership.