Editor’s Note: Our friends at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westover, Massachusetts have been named NORAD’s “Aerospace Control Alert Unit of the Year” by 1st Air Force. The 104th Fighter Wing flies the McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F-15C Eagle, after transitioning from A-10s in early 2010. We recently saw the Barnstormers out at Nellis Air Force Base as they took part in Red Flag Period 16-1. Congratulations to you all, Barnstormers!

The 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, Massachusetts has been named the “Air Control Alert Unit of the Year” by the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region – 1st Air Force (CONR-1AF/AFNORTH).  A component of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR) provides airspace surveillance and control and directs aerospace control activities for the continental United States (CONUS).

The ACA mission is to protect Northeastern United States with 24/7 alert teams, ready to launch at any moment.

Additionally, Staff Sgt. Trevor Tompkins of the 104th Fighter Wing was named “First Air Force Maintainer of the Year.”  Sergeant Tompkins was selected as the best maintainer of 16 ACA units. Among other accolades his superior workmanship and attention to detail led to a 98.5% pass rate on 67 inspections for 2015 Maintenance Standardization and Evaluation Program.

“We worked very hard as a team last year and our efforts were recognized by Lieutenant General Etter and his staff,” said 104th Fighter Wing Commander Colonel James Keefe. “We will continue to keep the defense of the homeland as our wing’s number one priority.  This mission touches all sections of the 104th and everyone executed at an extremely high level and it showed.”

The original article in its entirety can be read right here.

(Featured photo by Scott Wolff)