(MassLive/The Republican – Jim Kinney and Cynthia Simison) The Air Force will base 18 of its $78 million, latest-generation F-35 fighters at the Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing, guaranteeing the Westfield base’s role in the nation’s air defense and in the city’s economy for decades to come.
The Pentagon today designated the unit at Barnes-Westfield Regional Airport to receive a fleet of new F-35A Lightning II fighter jets. The announcement comes in the wake of a years-long lobbying effort by federal, state and municipal leaders to see the 104th receive upgraded aircraft. The average age of the existing fleet of F-15C Eagles is coming up on 40 years.
“This is perfectly aligning the 104th Fighter Wing with the mission of the Air Force beyond 2040,” said Brig. Gen. Virginia I. Gaglio, state commander of the Air Guard. “It ensures the viability of the 104th with the new national defense strategy and keeps us viable and relevant for many years in the future.”
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In addition, the Legislature in October passed and Baker signed into law the SPEED Act. The law makes it easier for military spouses to expedite the transfer of professional licenses if they move to Massachusetts because a spouse is transferred to a base in the state. That legislation was first filed in February 2021 by state Sen. John Velis, D-Westfield, and was at the time lauded as a key part of bolstering the state’s case for bringing the F-35s to Barnes.
“This new assignment of F-35A aircraft will also bring new transformative economic investments to our community and will benefit all of Western Massachusetts in the process,” said Velis. “This decision is a testament to all the work that has taken place over the last several years, specifically the passage of the SPEED Act and the state’s dedication to our military service members.”
Velis, himself a major in the Army Reserve, helped get the SPEED act passed last year. The law also smoothes the school registration process for children of military members relocating here and eases their ability to get in-state tuition at colleges and universities.
F-35s entered U.S. military service in 2011 with the Air Force and soon after the Marine Corps. The Navy received its first F-35s in 2013.