WESTFIELD—The US Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing has a new commander following a ceremony on Sunday.
The 104th Fighter Wing, which is based out of the Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, had Col. James M. Suhr appointed as commander, taking over the position from Col. James J. Keefe. Several family members, military personnel and state and local elected officials, including Gov. Charlie Baker, were on hand for the change of command.
“You have built a world class organization,” Suhr said about the Fighter Wing on Sunday.
“I look forward to building on this wing’s history and its preparation,” he added.
Gov. Charlie Baker swears in Col. James M. Suhr Sunday. Photo provided by Tech Sgt. Lindsey Watson-Kirwin
Suhr has served in the US Air Force and will continue to be in active service while being commander. According to a press release provided by the Guard, Suhr’s previous experiences include F-15C assignments in the Pacific theatre, including leading nine squadrons in 10 different geographical locations in southwest Asia. He was also deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve, Spartan Shield, Freedom’s Sentinel and Resolute Support. He also previously served as director of staff for the deputy chief of staff operations, at the US Air Force headquarters.
Suhr will be taking over the position from Keefe, who was in command of the Wing since 2013, and had originally joined the base in 1999. Keefe’s family, who was also on hand, have had a lengthy history with the unit, according to director of the Air National Guard, Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice. According to Rice, the departure of Keefe would be the first time in 61 years that the unit did not have someone from the Keefe family in it. Additionally, Col. James J. Keefe’s father, Maj. Gen. George Keefe, was also commander for the unit previously.
“Everything we did we met with great success in spite of adversity,” Col. James. J. Keefe said of the unit.
“We’ve been through a lot together in four years,” he added. “It’s been the four most rewarding years of my life.”
Additional people in attendance for the change of command included Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan, US Rep. Richard Neal, state Sen. Don Humason and state Rep. John Velis.
