McKinley visits Barnes

BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Massachusetts -- The 104th Fighter Wing of Barnes Air National Guard Base was honored by a visit from Lt. Gen. Craig McKinley, director of the Air National Guard, on April 5. This was the first time that an Air National Guard Director had visited Barnes in more than a decade.

The director's visit focused on the bases operational transition into an air defense platform hosting F-15 Eagles. At a Commander's Call that afternoon, Lt. Gen. McKinley commented to members of the wing: "You have all gone through a challenging year, and the next year will be equally challenging."

The Commander's Call also gave the Wing an opportunity to recognize the outstanding performance of several individuals including; Senior Airman Hernandez, National Guard & Reserve Component Transportation Airman of the Year; Staff Sgt. Mike Goonan, National Guard & Reserve Component Fuels NCO of the Year; Staff Sgt. Tina Dimino, Air National Guard Services Technician of the Year; Senior Airman Jennifer Krutka, Air National Guard Airman Command Post Controller of the Year; Staff Sgt. Michael Kearns, Massachusetts Airman of the Year; Staff Sgt. Christine Willette, Massachusetts Honor Guard Member of the Year; Master Sgt. Trish Goodreau, Massachusetts ANG Retention Manager of the Year; and Master Sgt. Ernie Smith, Massachusetts ANG Production Recruiter of the Year.

The Wing also presented the Youth Service Award to Meghan and Morgan Wojcik, and Antonio Sleeper, children of two Wing members, to honor their sacrifice while their loved ones are deployed.

Lt. Gen. McKinley's closing statement to the wing was, "We are a nation at war. I don't know how many Americans really believe that. But the people in this hangar, your families and your friends, they know the sacrifices you make to defend your state and your nation."