Another Air Force National Guard unit received its first F-35A Lighting II stealth fighter jet, replacing the aging F-15C/D Eagle.
Earlier in September, the Massachusetts Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing received its first F-35A, becoming the latest unit to go “stealth mode.”
The Massachusetts-based unit is now officially an F-35 outfit. Moreover, Barnes Air National Guard Base becomes the 15th location across the service to host the F-35A.
The introduction of the F-35A Lighting II “provides our wing with increase and unmatched capabilities to safeguard both our country and the great city of Westfield as we execute our new 104th Fighter Wing mission and vision,” Air Force Colonel Michael “Shot” Glass, the commanding officer of the 104th, said.
A fighter wing usually contains up to three fighter squadrons for a total of around 72 fighter jets. But the 104th only has the 131st Fighter Squadron under it. Until last year, the 104th was flying the venerable F-15C/D Eagle.
“For generations, men and women at the 104th Fighter Wing have answered the call, protected the skies, served our state and defended our country,” Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey stated about the upgraded local Air National Guard unit.
The Air National Guard made the decision to base the F-35A in Massachusetts in December 2024. Less than two years later, the first aircraft is already delivered and more are coming before the end of the year.
“The arrival of the F-35A represents a new chapter for this great military installation here. And it’s also an affirmation of the extraordinary professionalism and readiness of this wing that has existed decade after decade after decade,” the Massachusetts governor added.
Hosting the most advanced fighter jet in the world is no easy task: Air bases chosen for the aircraft often require extensive upgrades in their infrastructure, as well as their security facilities and practices.
Moreover, the local maintainers need to be trained on how to support the aircraft by undergoing extensive training on the type. For example, upon selection of the F-35 for the 104th, the unit picked several officers and enlisted men to undergo extensive training.
“It was an honor to be part of the final three-ship of Eagles to leave Barnes back in October of 2025,” Captain Kyle “Nuke” Eckert, a pilot with the 104th that flew F-15s before. “To now be one of the first F-35A pilots at Barnes Air National Guard Base is an amazing full circle moment.”
The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter jet. It comes in three variants (A, B, and C). The Air Force, as a whole, and the 104th Fighter Wing, is operating the “A” variant, which is the conventional version of the aircraft.
As a multirole aircraft, the fighter jet is capable of conducting several missions sets, including Strategic Attack, Air Superiority, Close Air Support, Electronic Warfare, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD), and Destruction Enemy Air Defense (DEAD).
The fighter jet has seen extensive action in recent engagements, including during the war in Iran.
Feature Image: Air Force National Guard, state, and local officials pose for a group photo in front of an F-35A Lightning II multi-role fighter aircraft during a ceremony at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, MA, Sept. 13 2026. The official arrival of the F-35 to Barnes marks the culmination of a decade of effort, including work by military officials, Massachusetts state lawmakers, congressional committees, and local civic partners. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Airman 1st Class Ellen Ozkaptan)
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