1AF Commander Visits 104th Fighter Wing Amid Conversion

Photo By Airman 1st Class Elijah Harris-lariviere | Members of the 104th Aerospace Control Alert flight pose for a group photo with U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. M. Luke Ahmann, commander of the 1st Air Force, during his visit at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Mass., April 14, 2025. Ahmann visited the 104th Fighter Wing to be briefed on and provide insight for the alert mission plan through the wing's conversion to the F-35. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Elijah Harris)  

WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES

04.14.2025

Story by Airman 1st Class Elijah Harris-lariviere 

104th Fighter Wing

The commander of the 1st Air Force and NORAD Continental U.S. visited the 104th Fighter Wing April 14th, 2025, amidst the wing's conversion to the F-35 Lightning II.

Lt. Gen. Luke 'Torch' Ahmann received a brief on the conversion progress, a tour of the wing's aerospace control alert facilities, and had the ability to hear feedback and provide insight from members of the wing's command team.

He further reiterated NORAD's pledge to maintain the wing's ACA mission with the F-35 and beyond.

“NORAD’s around-the-clock, no-fail homeland defense mission relies on highly trained units like the 104th Fighter Wing,” said Ahmann. “Their transition to the F-35 brings cutting-edge, fifth-generation capabilities to the defense of North America, significantly enhancing their ability to detect, track, and intercept potential threats. NORAD and the 104th are committed to a seamless transition that supports the homeland defense mission well into the future.”

The first F-35s are expected to arrive in the Spring of 2026.

• Date Taken: 04.14.2025
• Date Posted: 04.21.2025 12:40
• Story ID: 495770
• Location: WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, US