WESTFIELD – Colonel James J. Keefe, Commander of the 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base, tok off on his last F-15 Eagle flight Friday afternoon. The flight served as his “fini-flight” in the United States Air Force and Air National Guard. Family, Friends, and Wingmen gathered on the flight line after his touch down on the tarmac to celebrate his career as a pilot.
Dating back to World War II, aircrew members have celebrated a tradition called a “fini-flight.” The “fini- flight” recognizes the honored aviator for their service to our nation. The flight will celebrate Keefe’s career as a United States Air Force and Air National Guard Pilot in the F-15 A/C/D, T-37B, T/AT-38A, F- 16A/B/C/D, and A/OA-10A.
Keefe has flown 330 hours of combat/combat support time in 
deployments supporting Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, NORTHERN WATCH, IRAQI FREEDOM, and NOBLE EAGLE. The Northampton native is a command pilot with over 3400 flying hours.
Colonel Keefe entered the Air Force in 1987 upon graduation from the U.S. Air Force ROTC program at Norwich 
University, Northfield, VT. Keefe was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in May of 1987 and began his pilot career at Columbus AFB, Mississippi as a student at the USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training, 14th Student Squadron, April 1988. He has served in a variety of flying and command positions during assignments on both active duty and the Air National Guard, including: instructor pilot, flight commander, flying safety officer, and squadron commander. He joined the Massachusetts Air National Guard in May 1999 as a traditional drill status guardsman and became the Commander of the 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base Jan. of 2013.
