Massachusetts Air National Guard
Encyclopedia
The Massachusetts Air National Guard is the air force
militia
of the U.S. state
of Massachusetts
. It is, along with the Massachusetts Army National Guard, an element of the Massachusetts National Guard
. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force
, as well as its state mission.
flying the F-15C from Barnes Municipal Airport
in Westfield, MA, and other smaller units. Prior to the BRAC of 2005, the F-15's were based at Otis ANGB located on Cape Cod, and Barnes hosted a squadron of A-10 Thunderbolt II
's which were reassigned as part of the restructuring.
Also in the state, there are 3 other Units, all of which are apart of the 253rd Combat Communications Group. Those units are: the 212th Engineering Installation Squadron located in Milford, MA, the 267th Combat Communications Squadron located at Otis Air National Guard Base, MA, and the Headquarters, which is the 253rd Combat Communications Group also located at Otis Air National Guard Base, MA. Recently, the 253rd Combat Communications Group had 3 Units awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Those Units were: HQ, 253rd Combat Communications Group, 267th Combat Communications Squadron, and the 243rd Engineering Installation Squadron, from Portland, ME.
The 253rd Combat Communications Group is composed of seven geographically separated Units, over three States.
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. It is, along with the Massachusetts Army National Guard, an element of the Massachusetts National Guard
Massachusetts National Guard
The Massachusetts National Guard was founded as the Massachusetts Bay Colonial Militia on December 13, 1636, and contains the oldest units in the United States Army. It is currently headquartered in Milford, Massachusetts and commanded by Major General Joseph C...
. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, as well as its state mission.
Units
It comprises the 102nd Intelligence Wing, the 104th Fighter Wing104th Fighter Wing
The United States Air Force's 104th Fighter Wing is an Air National Guard fighter unit located at Barnes Airport, Massachusetts.-Mission:To maintain highly trained, well equipped, and motivated military forces in order to provide combat ready F-15C Eagles aircraft and support elements in response...
flying the F-15C from Barnes Municipal Airport
Barnes Municipal Airport
Barnes Municipal Airport , also known as Westfield-Barnes Airport, is a tower-controlled joint civil-military public airport located three miles north of the central business district of Westfield, a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. This airport is owned by City of Westfield...
in Westfield, MA, and other smaller units. Prior to the BRAC of 2005, the F-15's were based at Otis ANGB located on Cape Cod, and Barnes hosted a squadron of A-10 Thunderbolt II
A-10 Thunderbolt II
The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American single-seat, twin-engine, straight-wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. The A-10 was designed for a United States Air Force requirement to provide close air support for ground forces by attacking tanks,...
's which were reassigned as part of the restructuring.
Also in the state, there are 3 other Units, all of which are apart of the 253rd Combat Communications Group. Those units are: the 212th Engineering Installation Squadron located in Milford, MA, the 267th Combat Communications Squadron located at Otis Air National Guard Base, MA, and the Headquarters, which is the 253rd Combat Communications Group also located at Otis Air National Guard Base, MA. Recently, the 253rd Combat Communications Group had 3 Units awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Those Units were: HQ, 253rd Combat Communications Group, 267th Combat Communications Squadron, and the 243rd Engineering Installation Squadron, from Portland, ME.
The 253rd Combat Communications Group is composed of seven geographically separated Units, over three States.
Active Aircraft
| Aircraft | Origin | Type |
|---|---|---|
| F-15C F-15 Eagle The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights... Eagle |
Air Superiority Fighter | |