BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, WESTFIELD, Mass. -- Media Advisory
Release No. 18-13
Contact:
Capt. Anthony Mutti
SMSgt Julie Avey
413-568-9151 ext. 698-1299
Cell: (413) 564-9273
usaf.ma.104-fw.list.pa@mail.mil
March 9, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
104th Fighter Wing Opens Renovated Hangar
BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, WESTFIELD, Mass. – Today, Governor Charlie Baker, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Congressman Richard Neal and Maj. Gen. Gary Keefe will join the men and women of the 104th Fighter Wing at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the renovated main hangar at 3 p.m.
Speakers will include Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, Congressman Richard Neal, and the Adjutant General, Massachusetts National Guard Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe.
“The renovated Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at the Barnes Air National Guard was an important project to benefit the 104th Fighter Wing and its mission readiness," said Governor Charlie Baker. “From the US-Canadian border to Washington, D.C., the 104th is always ready to respond on a moment’s notice, and this hangar will ensure that maintenance personnel have everything they need to keep the aircraft fully mission capable.”
"Today's dedication and opening of the renovated Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at the Barnes Air National Guard is a welcome accomplishment," said Congressman Richard E. Neal. "The 104th Fighter Wing now has a modern facility with state-of-the-art equipment to better support the tremendous work that they do - keeping the aircraft in good condition so that they are equipped and prepared should a call to action be commanded. This hangar will not only provide the personnel a better facility to work to ensure the aircraft is mission capable, it will continue to safeguard the 104th Fighter Wing's reliability to the United States Air Force."
The hangar was rebuilt with safety and energy efficiency in mind to extend the capabilities of the 104th FW for future generations. One example is the environmental friendly translucent panel doors installed to save money and provide natural lighting for the work space. The construction is certified as Leadership Energy Environmental Design (LEED) Silver. The LEED certification is designed to support public health and our environment. The hangar facility provides Airmen of the 104th FW an efficient and safe work space to continue to keep aircraft maintained in support of the air dominance mission.
"It's a great day for the men and women of the 104th Fighter Wing,” said Maj. Gen. Gary Keefe, The Adjutant General, Massachusetts National Guard. “Like every winning team, the 104th as America's premiere Air National Guard unit, depends on its people, equipment and facilities to get the job done. This new maintenance hangar will provide our pilots, mechanics, and ground crews modern work space to ensure that every F-15 is maintained to the highest standard of readiness to meet the mission. The renovated hangar provides improved work space for the present day and positions the 104th Fighter Wing to be ready to accept the next generation of Air Force fighter jets to ensure that the Massachusetts Air National Guard remains an indispensable component of America's air defense well into the twenty-first century."
In addition to protecting the nation's air space around the clock, Airman from the 104th FW deploy people and equipment in support of its federal mission globally and provides well trained personnel and equipment here at home as part its state mission to respond to natural disaster civil emergencies when called upon by the Governor.
“The completion of this hangar which includes space to work on up to six aircraft, renovated maintenance repair shops, and improved office space is a major upgrade to our ability to generate air superiority for America,” said Col. James M. Suhr, Commander, 104th Fighter Wing.
Media are invited to the ceremony and should arrive no later than 3 p.m. on Friday, March 9. All media must register for access by 10 A.M. on Friday, March 9 by e-mailing Julie.l.Avey.mil@mail.mil of the 104th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office at 104fw.pa.mil@mail.mil or calling 413-568-9151 ext. 698-1299, or Cell: (413) 564-9273.
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The 104th Fighter Wing is equipped with the F-15 Eagle. One mission of the 104th is Aerospace Control Alert (ACA), providing armed fighters ready to scramble in a moment's notice to protect the Northeast from any airborne threat. The unit is responsible for protecting a quarter of the nation's population and over one third of the Gross Domestic Product.