An F-15 fighter jet from the Barnes 104th Fighter Wing during a previous training exercise. (File photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
The 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base will be conducting a large scale operational readiness exercise this weekend and wants residents not to be alarmed by what they may hear and see.
The exercise will take place Saturday and Sunday.
During the training, the wing will be conducting more flights than are typical, upwards of 30 sorties per day. The first take-offs are expected around 7 a.m. with the last set scheduled for 7 p.m. on both days.
According to Maj. Matthew Mutti, executive officer for the 104th, in addition to the extra sorties, the surrounding communities may hear explosions, alert sirens, and/or, see smoke being generated around the base. These events are part of the simulated attacks that will be providing the 1,100 airmen on base realistic training on survival actions in a combat scenario.
The exercise is one of many the 104th will be conducting as it prepares for an Operational Readiness Inspection in October of next year, which will test the unit’s ability to survive and operate during conventional and chemical attacks.
