File photo The Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Armed Services Committee, helped the Senate pass the annual national defense bill. The bipartisan legislation includes numerous provisions authored and secured by Peters to strengthen U.S. national security, invest in Michigan’s military facilities and defense sector, clean up PFAS contamination, and give servicemembers a pay raise.

In the bill, there is allocation for the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center.

“This bill makes investments that will ensure Michigan is positioned to continue leading the way in keeping our nation safe and secure,” said Senator Peters. “I’m proud to have secured provisions in this bill that will support transformational upgrades at Selfridge Air National Guard Base to prepare for its new missions, make progress to clean up PFAS contamination at our military bases, and support Michigan’s defense sector, which is working to develop innovative technologies that protect American servicemembers around the globe.”

In a press release on Tuesday, Peters announced the money for the local military base. The money will be used to ensure Northern Strike, a large training operation each summer, continues at the CRTC and its sister base Camp Grayling.

Peters secured report language urging permanent funding for the annual Northern Strike Exercise, which is the largest all-domain reserve forces exercise. Northern Strike provides a realistic training environment and robust training experiences for units and leaders to strengthen joint all-domain warfighting – and helps keep Michigan central to our national defense operations.

The national defense bill sets annual policy for the Department of Defense (DOD) and has become law for more than 60 consecutive years. This bill has also passed the U.S. House of Representatives and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.