BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Westfield, Mass. — Key leaders from the 104th Fighter Wing traveled to Lockheed Martin's production facility in Fort Worth, Texas, May 27 to sign the fuselage bulkhead for one of the wing's first F-35A Lightning II aircraft. The milestone begins the chapter of a new story for the Wing.
The assembly building is more than a mile long and up to 155 jets can be on the production line at once. One F-35 takes 18 months to produce from start to finish.
Signing a part of the pre-assembled aircraft is atradition that allows a unit to leave its mark while the build is still taking place on the assembly line, while also providing a firsthand look at the future jets progressing through production. For those in attendance, the meaning of the moment extended far past the production floor.
"The mission's coming home," said Maj. Brian “Brass” Burke, an F-35 fighter pilot and unit conversion officer with the 104th FW.
Col. Michael “Shot” Glass, commander of the 104th FW, felt the experience to be both grounding and defining. "Signing the F-35 fuselage bulkhead at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth was an amazing experience, and it marks a pivotal moment for the wing as we prepare to welcome our first F-35 jets," Glass said. "This solidifies the future of our wing and our dedication to excellence and readiness. I was incredibly honored and humbled to have gotten the opportunity to sign the jet knowing that the F-35A Lightning II will enhance both our mission capabilities and our commitment to protecting our nation."
Chief Master Sgt. Mike Gardner, the 104th’s command chief, said seeing the aircraft under construction stirred emotions that 24 years with the wing made difficult to contain.
"It was hard not to feel emotional when seeing, and putting my signature on, the future of the 104th Fighter Wing," Gardner said. "Knowing that the mission is secured well into the future with the world's premier fighter fills me with pride, especially knowing our selection for the new platform is a direct result of the hard work and professionalism Barnes has come to be known for."
Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey St. Jean, the superintendent of the 104th Maintenance Group, said the timing of the visit added additional meaning to an already important occasion.
"I would say that it was an absolute honor to write '104 MXG' on that bulkhead on behalf of the Maintenance Group," St. Jean said. "To have been a part of that experience, seeing our future tail numbers working their way down the production line, signing for the Group on our brand-new, front-line, fifth-generation fighter, immediately after Memorial Day, and so close to our nation's 250th anniversary. It really is humbling to think about."
Lt. Col. Mark “Mr. Chow” Silvers, the director of operations for the 104th FW, said the visit turned years of anticipation into something tangible.
"I've been looking forward to F-35s arriving at Barnes for the better part of a decade," Silvers said. "Seeing Barnes’ tails at the factory finally made it real, and getting to sign the fuselage was an honor I won't soon forget."
The Wing has been transitioning to the F-35A, a fifth-generation fighter jet featuring cutting-edge covert and avionics capabilities that officials say will significantly increase the wing's operational scope and efficiency. The F-35 replaces the F-15 Eagles, which the wing flew for 18 years. The Eagles called the 104th home after they first landed at the base in 2007 until their stand down in October of last year.