Photo By Melanie Casineau | The F-15 Eagle displayed outside the gate of the 104th Fighter Wing on Southampton...... read more read more
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BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Westfield, Mass. — The F-15 Eagle displayed outside the gate of the 104th Fighter Wing on Southampton Road recently received a restoration by Ponsford Ltd., a Georgia-based conservation company.
Ponsford Ltd., the largest conservation group in the Southeast, employs 17 specialists who travel internationally to restore historic and cultural artifacts. The company has worked with museums, parks and municipalities worldwide.
Founder and owner Gordon Ponsford, a third-generation conservator, previously served for more than 50 years at Arlington National Cemetery. Under his leadership, the company restores tanks, guns, rockets, aircraft and helicopters.
“Everything done by our staff is performed with the same professional standards upon which Ponsford was founded, serving as protectors, guardians and custodians of fine art and antiques,” Ponsford said.
The F-15 Eagle restoration took five days and was completed by a four-person team.
Ponsford Ltd. also restored the F-84 in 2020 and the F-100 in 2023, both displayed within the base gates. The team has also completed conservation work on sculptures in downtown Westfield.
Following the restoration, the 104th Fighter Wing’s Aircraft Structural Maintenance team finalized the project by applying decals, including squadron patches, the minuteman logo, lightning bolts and the names of honored servicemembers.
This particular F-15 was originally assigned to the 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron in the Netherlands. It was transferred to the Massachusetts Air National Guard in 1989 and reassigned to the 104th Fighter Wing in 2008. This F-15 Eagle is recognized as the only undefeated aircraft of its kind, with a combat record of 104-0.
The names displayed on each side of the aircraft honor two fallen Barnestormers: Lt. Col. Morris “Moose” Fontenot, who died in 2014 in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, and Chief Master Sgt. Patrick Shaughnessy, who died in 2006 at Barnes Air National Guard Base.
The memorial stands as a tribute to the 104th Fighter Wing’s enduring mission of safeguarding the American way of life. Positioned outside the base fence, it ensures that all citizens can pay tribute to the men and women who serve.
| Date Taken: | 06.04.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.06.2025 09:33 |
| Story ID: | 499687 |
| Location: | WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 25 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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