U.S. Air Force fighter pilots Col. Michael 'Shot' Glass, 104th Fighter Wing Commander, Lt. Col. Stephen 'Steagle' Mindek, 131st Fighter Squadron Commander, Lt. Col. Mark 'Mr. Chow' Silvers, 13st Fighter Squadron director of operations, and Maj. Brian 'Brass' Burke, 104th Fighter Wing unit conversion officer, fly a four-ship of F-35A Lightning II's over Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Mass., to celebrate the wing's first aircraft arrival of F-35's.
After flying one of the first four F-35A's to the 104th Fighter Wing, U.S. Air Force Col. Michael 'Shot' Glass, 104th Fighter Wing Commander, gave a powerful speech to members of the wing on the significance of receiving the F-35, and presented the wing with its new mission statement, vision, and wing priorities.
"With the F-35, our new wing mission is to forge combat-ready airmen prepared to defend our Nation and empoly lethal F-35 airpower. Our new vision is to be America's premier combat wing, projecting decisive, unrelenting airpower across the spectrum of joint warfare. And lastly, our new wing priorities are to develop elite airmen, optimize readiness and lethality, strengthen partnerships, and drive continuous improvement.
(U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Jay Hewitt)
| Date Taken: | 06.11.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.13.2026 11:43 |
| Photo ID: | 9910477 |
| VIRIN: | 260611-Z-DY432-1018 |
| Resolution: | 2143x3000 |
| Size: | 811.31 KB |
| Location: | WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 0 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, The F-35A Lightning II offically arrives at the 104th Fighter Wing, brings new era to Barnes Air National Guard Base [Image 21 of 21], by Jerry Hewitt, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.