report by : René Vallée
The Westfield-Barnes Airshow was held on the 12-13 of august 2017, celebrating a century of American airpower and the U.S Air Force’s 70th anniversary. The 104th Fighter Wing’s 131st Fighter Squadron of the MA Air National Guard also celebrated its 70th anniversary this year. Organized at Barnes Airport from the wartime 333rd Fighter Squadron, the 131st FS as part of the Massachusetts Air National Guard.
The 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard located in Westfield, Massachusetts, is an operational flying unit assigned to the Air Combat Command, and proudly claims the honor of being one of the oldest flying units within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The 131st Fighter Squadron is the operational combat arm of the 104th Fighter Wing. The Squadron provides combat ready fighter pilots to perform air sovereignty and alert missions for air defense of the northeastern sector of the United States.
With the practice day on Friday being accessible to the media and DOD members and their families. Weather for this weekend started tough, on Friday and Saturday, the two days I attended, it was very humid and muggy with light winds and flying in and out of clouds. The show opened on Saturday with two F-15s from the 104th FW and two A-10s from the 122nd FW of the Indiana ANG. The Warthog had been a long-time resident of Barnes when the A-10 equipped the 104th FW / 131st FS. The unit transitioned to the F-15 back towards the end of 2007.
Then a C-17 of the 105th AW from Stewart ANGB performed a good demo. Flown by the NY Air National Guard’s 137th Airlift Squadron, the C-17 Globemaster III is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area.
The Navy’s East Coast TAC Demo squadron, VFA-106 Gladiators, recently introduced a commemorative paint scheme for their F/A-18C “Legacy Hornet” demo jet. The new paint scheme celebrates the legacy of VFA-15 Valions, which is scheduled to formally deactivate in 2017. The jet’s markings are representative of VA-15 while flying A-7E Corsairs during the 1970s, and will be featured throughout the 2017 demo season. This thrilling single-ship demonstration showcases the amazing capabilities of the aircraft, and includes maneuvers typical of both training and combat flying.
Ace Maker Airshows was proud to present the T-33 Shooting Star. As America’s first operational jet fighter and jet trainer, this aircraft represents a piece of American history that ushered us into a new generation, and have helped pave the way for the lives and freedom we enjoy today. The Mission of the Quick Silver Flight Team is to honor and pay tribute to the thousands of veterans that have sacrificed their lives for the freedom and security of others. It is the mission of the Flight Team to keep Quick Silver in the air and Flying at as many shows as we can make. As this silver bird quickly streaks across the sky, let us not forget those who served, sacrificed, and gave their all.
The T-28 Trojan is a large, fast and loud warbird with combat history and a growlie and U.S. Navy paint schemes and markings to compliment the patriotic theme ! No less than 3 Trojan were present at Westfield-Barnes Airshow 2017.ng 1425 HP radial engine. Six of these warbirds have a commanding presence on the ramp and generates excitement in the air. The aircraft has smoke systems and sport authentic U.S. Air Forc
Despite of the weather; The 104th Fighter Wing and all the personnel involved produced a very nice Show. Globalairpower would like to thank the 104th Public Affairs Unit for this great media day.