Western Mass. native promotes to brigadier general Published June 11, 2016 Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Mass. -- Col. Sean T. Collins, a native of Western Massachusetts, will be promoted to brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force during a ceremony scheduled at the Springfield Armory, 2 p.m., June 12. Col. Collins, currently the medical group commander for the 104th Medical Group, Barnes Air National Guard Base, has been selected to be the Assistant for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Health Affairs. In this new role as a brigadier general, Collins will serve as the principle advisor to the Director of Health Affairs on Reserve Component matters (National Guard and Reserve). This is a joint appointment, serving as an integrated Combat Support Agency that enables the Army, Navy, and Air Force medical services to provide a medically ready force to Combatant Commands in both peacetime and wartime. The Reserve Component constitutes over one million military members. In his current position, Col. Collins has been responsible for the health and wellbeing for more than 1,200 military members assigned to the 104th Fighter Wing, as well as more than 60 assigned medical personnel. He entered the Air Force in 1995 after being commissioned as a first lieutenant in the 104th Medical Squadron as a clinical nurse. During his four combat tours, he has received multiple awards and recognition, serving with distinction. In 2011, he deployed as a senior researcher for the Joint Combat Casualty Research Team in Afghanistan, providing theater wide support to vital research activities while in Helmand Province. Col. Collins is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner licensed in the state of Massachusetts and Connecticut. In his civilian career, he is an Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, with a joint appointment in Medicine and the Graduate School of Nursing. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of Massachusetts in Worcester and has authored several scholarly publications, journal articles and a book chapter. -- 30 - Media are invited to attend this event and must register with the 104th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office by calling before 9 a.m., Sunday, June 12, 2016. All media will arrive at the Springfield Armory, 1 Armory Sq Ste 2, Springfield, MA 01105, no later than 1:15 p.m.