Massachusetts Guard Gets First F-35 to Replace Departed F-15s

The Massachusetts Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing received its first F-35A Joint Strike Fighter on Sept. 13, becoming the latest unit to get its hands on the new fifth-generation jet.

The 104th, located at Barnes Air National Guard Base, is replacing its legacy F-15 Eagle fighters with the F-35 and held a ceremony to officially welcome the fifth-generation jet with officials including Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and National Guard Bureau Chief Air Force Gen. Steven Nordhaus, the Guard said in a Sept. 14 release.

“For generations, men and women at the 104th Fighter Wing have answered the call, protected the skies, served our state and defended our country,” Healey said. “The arrival of the F-35A represents a new chapter for this great military installation here. And it’s also an affirmation of the extraordinary professionalism and readiness of this wing that has existed decade after decade after decade.”

Military officials, Massachusetts leaders, lawmakers, and local civic partners have worked for a decade to bring the F-35 to Barnes. The Guard officially decided to bring the F-35A to Barnes in December 2024, and the base has been preparing for its arrival for the last several years. Barnes’ preparation for the F-35 included building infrastructure such as sunshades, acquiring the necessary equipment, and training Airmen to be ready to fly and sustain the jets.

The 104th’s last three F-15s departed Barnes in October 2025. One of those pilots, Capt. Kyle “Nuke” Eckert, is now an F-35 pilot with the wing.

“It was an honor to be part of the final three-ship of Eagles to leave Barnes back in October of 2025,” Eckert said. “To now be one of the first F-35A pilots at Barnes Air National Guard Base is an amazing full circle moment.”

Col. Michael “Shot” Glass, who took command of the 104th in December, said the new fifth-generation jets “provides our wing with increase and unmatched capabilities to safeguard both our country and the great city of Westfield as we execute our new 104th Fighter Wing mission and vision.”

The 104th’s former commander, Brig. Gen. David “Moon” Halasi-Kun, also emphasized what the F-35 is able to do.

“The F-35A brings with it incredible capabilities that will be able to support combatant commanders around the world, as well as continued defense of the United States from our 24-hour alert site,” Halasi-Kun said. “I know that our [Airmen] will be up to the challenge as we start to begin our conversion.”

Barnes is now the 15th base across the Air Force to host the F-35, and fifth Guard base. Misawa Air Base in Japan also got its first F-35 in 2026, and Kingsley Field, Ore., is slated to receive its first jets in summer 2027.

F-35 Locations

Future locations in italic bold