Predawn Flying at Barnes Air National Guard Base Published April 1, 2016 4/1/2016 -- DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS 104TH FIGHTER WING (ANG) BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, WESTFIELD MA Media Advisory Release No. 16-08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: 104fw.pa@ang.af.mil 413-568-9151 x698-1299 Predawn flying at Barnes Air National Guard Base The 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield Mass., is scheduled to conduct early morning flights, April 2, 2016. The pre-dawn missions will launch from Barnes-Westfield Regional Airport in Westfield, Mass. We do not want to alarm the residence around the local area of Westfield who may be startled by the increase in aircraft activity during the morning hours. The pre-dawn flights are a critical part of our mission. We would appreciate your help in sharing this news, to help alleviate the local residents from being alarmed. With our 24/7 alert posture, our Airmen could respond to an airborne threat at any time protecting one quarter of the nation's population and one third of the its Gross Domestic Product. 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. 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. #30#