State Reps. Karl Bohnak, Dave Prestin, and Greg Markkanen today pledged their support for the Marquette County Board of Commissioners after the board unanimously voted to explore bringing a United States Air Force Base back to Marquette County. The area was once home to the K.I Sawyer Air Force Base, which closed in 1995. Since then, the Air Force continues to utilize the local Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport (SAW) – located on a portion of the former Air Force Base – for training exercises, including large-scale joint exercises like Northern Strike.

“The Upper Peninsula hasn’t had an active military base in decades, but defense experts in our state and nationally are realizing the strategic importance of the Superior region,” said Prestin, R-Cedar River. “I applaud the Marquette County Commission for recognizing this and pursuing the restoration of a military mission to the region. The U.P. stands ready to once again host the personnel and equipment essential to the defense of our great nation.”

“Marquette Sawyer is more than equipped to bring this sort of large-scale investment to the U.P.,” said Bohnak, R-Deerton. “Our community still remembers the economic boon that came with a fully functional Air Force Base, and I’m proud to stand with Marquette County as we begin to explore restoring long-term local Air Force operations. It’s important to note that this wouldn’t be K.I. Sawyer 2.0; this would be a unique facility that will have to be fully worked through with local and federal partners.”

“An Air Force Base in Marquette County would pay dividends for the region and the broader U.P.,” said Markkanen, R-Hancock. “K.I. Sawyer has been closed for decades, but the Air Force still relies on U.P. infrastructure for significant training exercises. Securing a new U.P. base would open up even more possibilities for the U.P. to continue our already vital role in strengthening our national defense.”

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