104th Fighter Wing Performs Change of Command, Confers CCAF Degrees Published Jan. 10, 2015 By Staff Sgt. Matt Benedetti 104th Fighter Wing BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, WESTFIELD, Mass. -- The 104th Fighter Wing performed a Change of Command Ceremony and a Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Graduation today with family members and friends, peers and supervisors in attendance to recognize their achievements. Both the 131st Fighter Squadron and 104th Operations Support Flight conducted Change of Command ceremonies symbolizing the change in leadership in their respective units. The change of command ceremony is deeply rooted in military tradition and is a visual means of transferring responsibility from one officer to another. Lt. Col. David Halasi-Kun assumed command of the 131st Fighter Squadron from Lt. Col. Jeffrey Blake and Lt. Col. Kenneth Fedora relinquished command of the 104th Operations Support Flight to Lt. Col. Sean Halbrook. The CCAF is a federally- chartered degree granting institution that offers enlisted members of the United States Air Force an opportunity to earn an associate of applied science degree or a professional certification in one of several fields of study. Partnered with over 108 affiliated Air Force Schools, 82 Education Service Offices and over 1,500 civilian academic institutions, the CCAF serves approximately 300,000 enlisted personnel worldwide. The following 25 unit members were awarded diplomas from the CCAF: Master Sgt. Darci Fur, Hospitality and Fitness Management Master Sgt. Thomas McDonald, Aircrew Safety Systems technology Master Sgt. Dominique Chapman, Information Management Master Sgt. William Craig, Criminal Justice Master Sgt. Orlando Fuentes, Avionic Systems Master Sgt. Dana Thayer, Criminal justice Master Sgt. Jeffrey Odell, Aviation Maintenance technology Master Sgt. Patrick Martunas, Intelligence Studies and Technology Tech Sgt. Marilyn Morales, Avionic Systems Technology Tech Sgt. Kevin O'Brien, Mechanical and Electrical Technology Tech Sgt. Daniel Decormier, Aviation Maintenance Technology Tech Sgt. Adam Barabani, Logistics Tech Sgt. Diane Berthiaume, Avionic Systems Technology Tech. Sgt. Karyn Brown, Criminal Justice Tech Sgt. Nicole Locke, Emergency Management Staff Sgt. Samuel Kelmelis, Avionic Systems Technology Staff Sgt. Michale Konarski, Avionic Systems Technology Staff Sgt. Thomas Ambrose, Aviation Maintenance Technology Staff Sgt. Kristie Timberlake, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Staff Sgt. Lauren Wundt, Aviation Maintenance Technology Staff Sgt. Bonnie Miller, Information Systems technology Staff Sgt. Shaun Reagan, Munitions Systems Technology Staff Sgt. Jason Schrecke, Electronic Systems Technology Staff Sgt. Kyle Kent, Intelligence Studies and Technology Staff Sgt. Glenda Anderson, Information Management 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 one third of the Gross Domestic Product.