Barnes on course to achieve mission-ready status

Date: 11/25/2009

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



WESTFIELD -- Throughout the past 22 months Barnes Air National Guard Base has seen some major changes: $45 million in new facilities, an increase of 300 new personnel and a shift to a new mission.

Personnel have been training for almost two years and in February the base will officially take over the protection of the northeast skies under the Air Sovereignty Alert (ASA) mission. Pilots and support staff will conduct additional training exercises throughout six days next month in preparation for the new mission.

Capt. Matthew Mutti, Wing Executive Staff Officer for the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base, explained these training exercises or "scrambles" require pilots and personnel "to get from their bunks to airborne in less than five minutes." He added the exercises will teach situational awareness as well as night training from sunset to 10 p.m. on Dec. 8 through 10 and Dec. 14 through 16.

Mutti noted the F-15 aircraft will take off from the south during the aforementioned scrambles, while all other flights will depart from the north in conjunction with the noise mitigation plan.

He said Barnes personnel are ready and eager to take over the ASA mission to protect the eastern seaboard from the Canadian border to Virginia as part of the North American Air Defense System.

"As the only ASA unit in the northeast, the 104th Fighter Wing will be standing alert, 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year, ready to respond to intercept and escort aircraft that are in distress or present a threat to anyone in the northeast," Lt. Col. Morgan Davis, ASA Detachment Commander, explained. "Our role is critical in providing homeland defense."

Prior to the new mission as mandated by the Base Realignment and Closure list, Barnes was home to the A-10 aircraft, which provided close air support for troops.

Mutti noted Barnes personnel will also continue to support Contingency Operations Overseas upon achieving ASA mission-ready status on Feb. 15.