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.