Barnes Air National Guard Base Barnes Air National Guard Base has hosted the Massachusetts Air National Guard 104th Fighter Wing ( in various designations ) since 1946 . History . Barnes Air National Guard Base is located on the northern side of Westfield in an area known as Hampden Plains . This flat area has been used by Massachusetts as a military training area going back to at least 1905 . In the late Summer of 1917 , this plain was used as a Troop Staging Area where various Massachusetts , Vermont and Maine Militia Units were reformed into the 102nd , 103rd , and 104th regiments to be shipped to France during World War I . The Air National Guard began its history at Barnes Airport in October 1946 . During World War II young men from the Massachusetts State College received flight training at the airport before being shipped off to various war sites . Soon after , the Air National Guard was formed and its presence was soon established at Barnes . The Air National Guard first began using P - 47 Thunderbolt aircraft , but soon began using the P - 51 Mustang after Runway 2 / 20 was extended from 5 , 000 to . Barnes received jet aircraft when the Air National Guard began to operate F - 94 Starfire aircraft . Up until September 2007 , the 131st Fighter Squadron ( 131 FS ) , 104th Fighter Wing ( 104 FW ) of the Massachusetts Air National Guard at Westfield operated the A - 10 Thunderbolt II . There were 25 A - 10 ' s based at Barnes until they were realigned through the DoD ' s Base Realignment and Closure of 2005 . As a result of BRAC , the 104th changed its mission from Close Air Support to Air Superiority and its A - 10 aircraft were redistributed to other fighter units . The 104 FW has now received 15 F - 15 Eagle s from the former 102nd Fighter Wing , now 102nd Intelligence Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard at Otis ANGB , with the 104 FW continuing to remain operationally - gained by the Air Combat Command ( ACC ) . As you come onto the base off Falcon Way , the first thing you will notice is the bright blue base sign located next to the Main Gate . As you drive through the gate , look to the left and you will see a F - 100 on a pedestal . This is a monument to all the men and women who have served in the 104th Fighter Wing . Located behind the F - 100 is a granite wall with the names and dates of service of members with more than 20 years of service . The new Dining Facility building is the first on the right , before the F - 100 memorial . Past the Dining Hall on the right side is the Composite Building . This building houses the Medical Squadron , the Security Forces Squadron and the Communications Flight . The next building on the left is the Avionics and Weapons Maintenance Building . This is where much of the " in - shop " work is performed on the Electronic Components and Weapons Systems of the A - 10 are performed . Moving past this building , there is a small tan steel building . This is the Readiness Shop where personnel learn how to survive in a Chemical , Nuclear or Biological Attack . The Fuels Area is now on the right . The Operations Building is across the street , next to the Base Headquarters Building . The Headquarters building also houses the Recruiting Offices , on the ramp side . The Military Personnel Flight is located on the second floor . This is where records are maintained and stored , and where personnel would go for a new identification card among other things . Directly in front on the Headquarters Building is the Ramp where the aircraft are parked . Off to the left , is the Base Hangar . Behind this building is the Corrosion Control Hangar where the painting of the aircraft takes place . Across the runway and to the right of the Recruiting Office is the Munitions Maintenance Complex of several work and storage facilities . Back on the main road and across the street from the Headquarters Building , is the Supply Area . There is a brick Office and Receiving area and a long low building that houses Contracting , Transportation , and Clothing Issue . This is the oldest building on base and soon to come down . Behind this building the new Supply Complex was built . On the right past the Supply Area is the new Vehicle Maintenance Facility where anything from cars to snow - plows can worked on . At the end of the road , take a left around the Airman ' s Club to approach the Fire Department and Civil Engineering Building . This is another of the newer buildings on base .