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Date: 4/25/2023
WESTFIELD — The Air Force announced last week that a fleet of 18 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets are coming to the 104th Fighter Wing, a long-term commitment to the Air National Guard presence at Barnes-Westfield Regional Airport.
“It’s a generational move,” said Mayor Michael McCabe a day after the April 18 announcement. “It keeps Westfield in a pretty good spot … it was a relief.”
McCabe said that over the past several years, the future of the fighter wing at Barnes, which flies F-15C and F-15D fighters that are nearly 40 years old and nearing the end of their lifespan, was in question. The new jets are expected to remain in service for at least 50 years.
Barnes was one of a handful of bases across the country in the running to receive F-15EX or F-35A fighters, but there was a possibility that it would receive neither.
Losing the fighter wing would have had a “tremendous detrimental effect, not only on national security, but our economy,” McCabe said.
Instead, operations at Barnes are likely to grow.
“The total number of personnel would increase by approximately 80 people, including 15 officers and 65 enlisted military members, though those numbers may fluctuate,” according to a statement from the 104th Fighter Wing.
Barnes Airport Manager Christopher Willenborg was “pleased” by the decision.
“This decision will help ensure the presence of the 104th Fighter Wing at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport for at least the next 50 years,” Willenborg said. “We are very proud of the long-standing history of the 104th Fighter Wing and previous successful fighter conversions over the past 75 years.”
In a press release from the 104th Fighter Wing, Air Force Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, adjutant general of Massachusetts, said Barnes is a good fit for the new jets.
“The 104th has years of experience with the fighter mission at home and abroad, the community is used to fighter operations and provides tremendous support, and the base is perfectly located for defense of the homeland,” Keefe said in the release.
Air Force Col. David L. “Moon” Halasi-Kun, the commander of the 104th Fighter Wing, also commented on the announcement.
“We’ve provided air defense for 40 million Americans in New England and New York, a population that produces roughly 30% of the nation’s gross domestic product, through the 24/7/365 no-fail Aerospace Control Alert mission,” Halasi-Kun said. “Our stellar performance was a big factor.”
State Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield) said in a statement the announcement was important for the region.
“This assignment of F-35A aircraft will bring new and transformative economic investments to our community and will benefit all of Western Massachusetts in the process,” Velis said. “I am proud that Massachusetts and the Legislature was able to play a role in making that happen.”
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (D-Springfield) also applauded the decision, attributing it to “years of advocacy from the Massachusetts congressional delegation, state leadership, the Adjunct General for the Massachusetts National Guard Gary Keefe, and most importantly, the superb efforts of the dedicated servicemembers at Barnes,” in a statement.
The basing decision still needs approval from the secretary of the Air Force, which would follow favorable completion of an environmental impact statement.
The fighters are expected to arrive at the base sometime in 2026.