Friends and family members gathered at the Barnes 104th Fighter Wing last night to greet military personnel who returned home after a training mission abroad. (Photo by 104th Fighter Wing SMSgt Rob Sabonis)
WESTFIELD – More than 100 members of the 104th Fighter Wing assigned to Barnes Air National Guard base in Westfield returned home last night. The three week multi-national exercise in Malaysia saw Massachusetts Air National Guard members conducting exercise operations alongside active duty F-22 Raptor aircraft and multinational Mig-29 and Su-27 aircraft.
“Cope Taufan has been an enormously successful exercise for the 104th Fighter Wing on strategic, operational and tactical levels,” Vice Commander of the 104th Fighter Wing Col. Kenneth Lambrich said. “Strategically we have demonstrated the ability to deploy a force capable of sustained operations in the western Pacific theater. Operationally we have identified and overcome the numerous logistical obstacles involved with deploying and sustaining this force on the opposite side of the planet. Tactically we gained a great deal of knowledge by training against the very best Russian-designed aircraft in the world; as well as proficiency in employing our F-15 Eagles in concert with F-22 Raptors.”
As unit members return, aircraft activity will increase in the local area of Westfield Barnes Regional Airport during the week. Numerous aircraft, such as the F-15 Eagles, C-17 Globemaster III, C-130 Hercules, and KC-135 Stratotankers will be arriving and departing at varying times during the upcoming days.
