The Air National Guard unit is preparing for a 2013 inspection of its readiness status.
The Air National Guard's 104th Fighter Wing, based at Barnes Municipal Airport in Westfield, flies F-15 Eagle fighter jets; some of the unit's jets are shown here in a file photo from 2010.
WESTFIELD — Increased air and ground activity is expected Friday and Saturday at Barnes Regional Airport as the Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing prepares for a 2013 inspection of its readiness status.
The wing, with its 1,100 members and 18 F-15 jet fighter aircraft, will conduct a large-scale operational readiness exercise Nov. 2 and Nov. 3 at Barnes Regional Airport, Executive Officer Matthew T. Mutti said Tuesday.
Upwards of 30 F-15 flights are scheduled both days from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. along with simulated ground explosions, alert sirens and smoke that will provide realistic combat training and survival experience for the guard unit.