Predawn F-15 Launch at Barnes Air National Guard Base Published Sept. 13, 2016 Barnes Air National Guard Base -- Media Advisory Release No. 16-20 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey, Public Affairs Specialist Lt. Col. Brenda Hendricksen, Public Affairs Officer 413-568-9151 ext. 698-1299 or ext. 698-1800 Cell: (619) 665-4252 usaf.ma.104-fw.list.pa@mail.mil Predawn F-15 Launch at Barnes Air National Guard Base Due to our strategic military location, the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield Mass., is supporting another military unit's deployment of F-15 fighter aircraft to Europe and will conduct 2 early morning launches on Sept. 14, 2016. These pre-dawn missions will launch from Barnes-Westfield Regional Airport in Westfield, Mass. We do not want to alarm the residents around the local area of Westfield who may be startled by the increase in aircraft activity during the atypical early morning hours. The pre-dawn flights are required due to the timing required to cross the Atlantic Ocean and land safely in Europe. We would appreciate your help in sharing this news, to help alleviate the local residents from being alarmed. We often do not have the luxury of advance notice, however, when we can prepare we will try to share as much information as we can. Thank you for your continued support. #30# 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.