(The Westfield News/MassLive – Cliff Clark) With the ear-piercing roar of F-15C Eagles in the background, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal was joined by city and state officials and several members of the Air National Guard’s command staff Wednesday at Barnes Air National Guard Base to celebrate the recent announcement that the base is getting a fleet of F-35A Lighting II fighters in 2026.
“Today is a good day not just for Barnes Air National Guard Base, but the entire western Massachusetts community and the Commonwealth,” Neal said in a press release about the announcement made by the U.S. Air Force in April that the base had been chosen to host 18 of the fighter jets.
During the ceremony, Neal also thanked former Gov. Charlie Baker for the role he played in getting the new fighters to Westfield.
Neal was joined by Brig. Gen. Virginia Gaglio, the commander of the Massachusetts ANG; state Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield); Mayor Michael McCabe; state Rep. Kelly Pease (R-Hampden); and 104th Fighter Wing Base Commander Col. David Halasi-Kun.
Halasi-Kun, standing with members of the Air National Guard in front of an F-15A Eagle scheduled for decommissioning, explained the significance of decision to replace the aging fighters with a new fleet.
“We have a history of excellence,” he said referring to the 47 years the 104th Fighter Wing has operated out of Barnes-Westfield Regional Airport.
The decision, Halasi-Kun said, ensures the viability of the base for the next 40 to 50 years.
He also stressed the national security importance of the base being in the state.
“We’ve provided air defense for 40 million Americans in New England and New York, a population that produces one-third of the nation’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product,” he said.
McCabe said having the new fighters based in Westfield is a “fabulous addition to Barnes.”
He also spoke of the importance of the fleet being at the airport to keep the airspace above New England secure.
With the new fleet come an increase in employment at the base.
The total number of personnel would increase by approximately 80 people including 15 officers and 65 enlisted military members though those numbers may fluctuate, according to the fighter wing when the decision was announced.
Barnes-Westfield Regional Airport Manager Chris Willenborg, who also attended the ceremony, spoke briefly about economic impact of the airport, pointing to a study by the state Department of Transportation in 2019.
The study concluded, Willenborg said, the airport generates more than 2,100 direct and indirect jobs with an economic output of approximately $236 million annually.
While Velis was speaking during the celebration in an open hanger just next to the runway, a pair of F-15 screamed by the open hanger the celebration was being held in.
He thanked Neal for his efforts for the successful effort and spoke of his work to have the State Legislature pass the SPEED Act.
That act, which was a significant part of the criteria when the Department of Defense was considering military-basing assignments, expedites the professional licensing process for military spouses so that they continue their careers, allows for advanced and virtual enrollment for military children to resolve disruptions in education, and expands benefits and recognitions provided to service-members and military families in the state, Velis said.
The basing decision becomes final after favorable completion of an ongoing Environmental Impact Statement on the proposal, upon which the Secretary of the Air Force will sign a Record of Decision (ROD). The signing of an ROD is expected by the summer of 2024, putting in motion the stationing of 18 new F-35A Lightning II aircraft at Barnes ANG.