Do we have a world champion in our midst?

Lt. Col. Michael Cousins isn’t at drill this Sept weekend; instead he’s in Los Vegas, Nevada racing in the Ironman 70.3 World Championship!

Deployed members return home from AEF deployment

On July 10, 2012, about 200 104th Fighter Wing members returned home from a 90-day, Air Expeditionary Force deployment. Family and friends welcomed the members home with cheers, tears and hugs.

F-100 Rededication Ceremony

Col. Tony Gwosch places a wreath at the base of the F-100 Memorial commemorating fallen unit members during the F-100 Rededication Ceremony held at the 104th Fighter Wing on May 5, 2012.

Congressman Richard Neal speaks to the members of the 104th Fighter Wing during a Commander’s Call

On March 3rd, 2012 Congressman Richard Neal speaks to the members of the 104th Fighter Wing during a Commander’s Call that was held in the main hanger at the 104th Fighter Wing Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, MA. This commander’s call was held to give several members of the wing award. This event was also to recognize members of the wing who will deploy next month, a change in command and members who have returned from a deployment. (Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Mark Fortin)

Wing Commanders Call

Members of the 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard gather at a wing Commander’s Call to recognize fellow unit members for the their superior performance and service to duty on March 3, 2012. In attendance at the ceremony were Senator Scott Brown, Congressman Richard Neal of Springfield, Massachusetts, Major General Joseph Carter, Commander of the Massachusetts National Guard, Major General Scott Rice, Commander of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, and other local dignitaries honoring the troops during this event. (Air National Guard Photo by: Senior Master Sergeant, Robert J. Sabonis)

UCI results top the charts

A week prior to the UCI and LCAP inspections, the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup, demonstrating the power of team-work. Many sportscasters in the early part play-off considered the Bruins to be one of the most unlikely teams to win the series, and it was the team-work that was lauded as the most important aspect of their championship run. As the wing prepared for the inspection, the wing leadership used the Bruins as an example for finishing strong. Lt. Col. Charles Wilson, from the exercise and evaluation office worked with Senior Master Sgt. James Burke from the 104th Logistic Readiness Squadron to create Barnes’ own Stanley Cup, signifying that team-work and hard work paid-off, excelling during these arduous inspections. This ‘cup’ was presented to Col. Brooks, the team captain in the same fashion as the Stanley Cup is presented to the winning team’s captain at the end of the NHL play-offs. The ‘cup’ was then passed amongst the wing members in attendance during the out-brief.

Doing maintenance

Tech. Sgt. Aaron Richards and Senior Airmen Kyle Bienia service a part on an F-15 Eagle while deployed to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska in support of a training exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Anthony Mutti)

Staff Sgt. Paul Sim flies in the F-15

Lt. Col. Daniel Nash and Staff Sgt. Paul Sim from the 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard, take off in an F-15D for an incentive flight while deployed to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Anthony Mutti)

F-15 being refueled

104th Fighter Wing, Mass. Air National Guard, F-15 being refueled while deployed to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (U.S. Air Force Photo by: Technical Sergeant, Anthony M. Mutti)

Engine Shop replaces a switch

Senior Airmen Lauren Wundt of the 104th Fighter Wing Engine Shop replaces a switch while deployed to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (U.S. Air Force Photo by: Technical Sergeant, Anthony M. Mutti)

Airman marshals his first aircraft while in Alaska

Senior Airman Michael Bedrosian of the 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard, marshals an F-15D fighter aircraft while deployed to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska in support of a joint Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force training exercise. (U.S. Air Force Photo by: Technical Sergeant, Anthony M. Mutti)

SrA Kyle Bienia Takes Oil Samples

While deployed to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska in support of a training exercise, SrA Kyle Bienia takes oil samples from the F-15 Eagle for the Joint Oil Analysis Program (JOAP). This program identifies wear metals present in the sample and their probable sources. This information is used to proactively evaluate the aircraft's condition.(U.S.A.F. photograph by Technical Sergeant, Anthony M. Mutti)

Crew Chief promoted while on TDY

After a successful launch of the F-15 Fighter, Technical Sergeant Ryan Green of the 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard, prepares for its return. Green was promoted to Technical Sergeant on Sunday, July 31, 2011, while deployed to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska in support of a training exercise. (U.S. Air Force Photo by: Technical Sergeant, Anthony M. Mutti)

The F-15s are ready for take-off

Crew chiefs from the 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard await the launch of their aircraft. While deployed to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska they are supporting a joint training exercise. (U.S.A.F. photograph by Technical Sergeant, Anthony M. Mutti)

Combat Archer Scheduling

Major Shane Nagatani of the 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard works in the Tyndall AFB tower as the Supervisor of Flying during the Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP), known as Combat Archer, on April 20, 2011. This training is important for the ground crews to test their maintenance systems and processes while loading live munitions on the F-15 eagle, as well as critical live war fighting training for the F-15 pilots to employ air-to-air missiles against real world targets. (U.S.A.F. photograph by Senior Master Sgt. Robert J. Sabonis)

JHMCS helmet

Col. James Keefe, Vice Commander of the 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard prepares for takeoff in the unit’s F-15 aircraft to participate in the Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP), known as Combat Archer, on April 20, 2011. This training is important for the ground crews to test their maintenance systems and processes while loading live munitions on the F-15 eagle, as well as critical live war fighting training for the F-15 pilots to employ air-to-air missiles against real world targets. He is wearing the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) helmet. (U.S.A.F. photograph by Senior Master Sgt. Robert J. Sabonis)

Sheet Medal Repair

Staff Sgt.Nathan Poudrier from the Structural Maintenance shop 104th Fighter Wing Westfield Massachusetts, measure for a patch on the cracked gun panel at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla on April 20, 2011.This gun panel was found cracked after on an F-15 aircraft after an exercise flight. While they are deployed to Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, they are participating in the Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP). (U.S. Air Force Photo by: Technical Sergeant, Melanie J. Casineau)

Sheet Medal Repair

Staff Sgt. Jeff King and Staff Sgt.Nathan Poudrier from the Structural Maintenance shop 104th Fighter Wing Westfield Massachusetts, measure for a patch on the cracked gun panel at Tyndall Air Force Base in Fla. on April 20, 2011.This gun panel was found cracked after on an F-15 aircraft after an exercise flight. While they are deployed to Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, they are participating in the Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP). (U.S. Air Force Photo by: Technical Sergeant, Melanie J. Casineau)

20mm ammo loaded on an F-15

Col. Kenneth Lambrich from the 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard watches as the maintenance crew unload rounds for the first time from the F-15 at Tyndall AFB, Florida as they participate in the Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP), known as Combat Archer, on April 19, 2011. This training is important for the ground crews to test their maintenance systems and processes while loading live munitions on the F-15 eagle, as well as critical live war fighting training for the F-15 pilots to employ air-to-air missiles against real world targets. (U.S.A.F. photograph by Senior Master Sgt. Robert J. Sabonis)

20mm ammo loaded on an F-15

Technical Sgt. Terrance Brown, Technical Sgt. Scott Gemelli, and Staff Sgt. Ryan Quigley from the 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard unload rounds for the first time from the F-15 at Tyndall AFB, Florida as they participate in the Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP), known as Combat Archer, on April 19, 2011. This training is important for the ground crews to test their maintenance systems and processes while loading live munitions on the F-15 eagle, as well as critical live war fighting training for the F-15 pilots to employ air-to-air missiles against real world targets. (U.S.A.F. photograph by Senior Master Sgt. Robert J. Sabonis)

ESGR tours Tyndall

The 104th Fighter Wing and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve hosted 20 employers to Tyndall Air Force Base to see the unit participate in WESP April 14-16. The employers represented Pratt and Whitney, Yankee Candle, Hartford University, Holyoke Community College, Western New England University, Tell Tool, Columbia Gas of Mass., Holyoke Fire Dept., Mass. State Police, BBL Construction, Marriot International, Burke GMC, Stran Technologies, Pascale Construction, and YOU Inc. During their tour they learned firsthand the importance of the Guard mission and how the reserve components are integrated tightly into the active duty mission. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Melanie Casineau, 104 FW/PA)

LOX on the F-15

Technical Sergeant Sean Becker from the 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard refills the oxygen system on an F-15 Eagle before a sortie on April 11, 2011. Deployed to Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, the 104th is participating in the Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP). The two week training and evaluation program is important for ground crews to test their maintenance systems and processes while loading live munitions on F-15 Eagles, as well as critical live training for the F-15 pilots to employ air-to-air missiles against real world targets. (U.S. Air Force Photo by: Master Sergeant, Mark W. Fortin)

Dr Keenan F4

Major Joseph Keenan a flight surgeon with, the 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard shows his satisfaction following an incentive ride in an F-4 Phantom while deployed to Tyndall AFB Florida, in support of the Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP) on April 12, 2011. The two week training and evaluation program is important for ground crews to test their maintenance systems and processes while loading live munitions on F-15 Eagles, as well as critical live training for the F-15 pilots to employ air-to-air missiles against real world targets including unmanned F-4s.

Dr Keenan F4

Major Joseph Keenan a flight surgeon with, the 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard shows his satisfaction following an incentive ride in an F-4 Phantom while deployed to Tyndall AFB Florida, in support of the Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP) on April 12, 2011. The two week training and evaluation program is important for ground crews to test their maintenance systems and processes while loading live munitions on F-15 Eagles, as well as critical live training for the F-15 pilots to employ air-to-air missiles against real world targets including unmanned F-4s.