The U.S. Air Force chose air bases in Wisconsin and Alabama, instead of Selfridge Air National Guard base in Macomb County, as the new homes for F35A aircraft.

Selfridge, in Harrison Township, was among five National Guard bases across the U.S. competing to be one of two homes to as many as 18 of the new fighter aircraft. The Selfridge base, which employs nearly 3,000 civilian and military workers, will continue to host the A10 fighter jets and the KC135 Stratotanker, aerial refueling aircraft.

The Air Force announced Thursday that the new F35As would go to Truax Field Air National Guard Base in Wisconsin and Dannelly Field in Alabama, beginning in 2023.

More:Selfridge pitch for F-35 jets could get boost from Sen. Peters' proposal

More:Thunder over Macomb: Selfridge base to celebrate 100 years at air show

F35As will eventually replace many of the fourth-generation Air Force aircraft, the Air Force said. However, the Air Force will continue to fly a mix of fifth- and fourth-generation fighters into the 2040s.

“Putting F35s at these two Air National Guard bases continues our transition into the next generation of air superiority,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein in a statement.

Michigan's delegation in Congress had pushed hard to get the new aircraft at Selfridge. In July, Air Force officials toured the base as part of the decision-making process. The Air Force also evaluated Gowen Field Air National Guard Base in Idaho and Jacksonville Air Guard Station in Florida.

"Those bases were reasonable alternatives, but not preferred," the Air Force said in a news release.

U.S. Rep. Paul Mitchell, R-Dryden, said the decision doesn't mean it's the end of the road for Selfridge.

"Selfridge is among the top five bases in the country, and it has world-class support from the surrounding community," Mitchell said. "It is my belief that the road to military readiness runs through Michigan."

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, said Selfridge's A10 fleet is secure for now.

“Today’s decision marks the Air Force’s continued commitment to the A10 and Selfridge, which will continue hosting this extremely important platform," said Peters, who is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "Selfridge is a strong contender for future conversion to the F35, and I will continue working to ensure the base maintains a fighter mission for years to come.”

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, said she'll continue to fight for Selfridge's future. "There is no question that Selfridge Air National Guard Base is well-positioned for a future F35 mission," she said.

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said he was disappointed that Selfridge wasn't chosen by the Air Force.

“We are confident our hometown air base will be part of future fighter missions,” he said. “It is a source of pride that Selfridge was one of only five bases in the country to be considered for such a deployment.”

The Wisconsin and Alabama bases will remain the Air Force's preferred alternatives until a final decision is made after environmental analyses are completed.

Contact Kathleen Gray: 313-223-4430, kgray99@freepress.com or on Twitter @michpoligal.