U.S. Air Force pilot Lt. Col. Mark 'Mr. Chow' Silvers, Director of Operations for the 131st Fighter Squadron, flies an F-35A Lightning II over Barnes Air National Guard Base at exactly 1:04PM EST, officially marking the historic first arrival of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft to the Wing, June 11, 2026.
After delivering one of the first four F-35's to the 104th Fighter Wing, U.S. Air Force Col. Michael 'Shot' Glass 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 employ 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: | 9910490 |
| VIRIN: | 260611-Z-DY432-1046 |
| Resolution: | 2400x1714 |
| Size: | 697.75 KB |
| Location: | WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 0 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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