Westfield High School Ambassadors support 104th FW

Barnes Air National Guard Base, 104 Fighter Wing - Westfield, Mass -- With the Air National Guard shifting from a Stategic Reserve force to an Operational Reserve force, the deployment demands on the Guard have increased steadily over the past decade.

From 2010-2011, the wing approximately deployed 140 members both for state-side and overseas contingency operations. The wing anticipates deploying the same, if not more members within the next year.

When members deploy, the Wing's Airman and Family Readiness office (AFRO) works to ensure the members are well taken care of through their transition from home-life to deployed-life.

The AFRO often works with outside agencies to help provide better support to the members deploying. The Westfield High School Ambassador club has volunteered to collect personal hygiene items to send with the members as they deploy.

Two members of the Ambassador club, Christina and Andrea Onyski worked with Westfield bank and collected a donation for $200, which will go toward purchasing personal hygene items for the Wing's deploying Airmen.

The wing greatly appreciates the support from Westfield Bank and the Westfield High School Ambassador club.