The Massachusetts Air National Guard is accelerating change to keep the mission going. The 104th Fighter Wing and 102nd Intelligence Wing have worked with their communities, empowered their airmen, and utilized technology. (U.S. Air National Guard Video by Airman 1st Class Francesca Skridulis)
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Keefe: so out of barnes the the airmen of the 104th fighter wing in that western mass area um they're making sure that everyone understands and sees the fact that hey you know if something bad happens in your community or in the nation we're here to make sure it gets better
Rice: everybody lives either locally or pretty close by and as the community grows as their family grows they grow as a part of the community and then that that integrates the base as well
Graydon: a lot of people that grow up in westfield automatically know people from the base they're they're very involved they're from westfield and people that grow up in westfield like myself just end up working at the base so there's really no way to separate westfield and Barnes
Phelon: these relationships are so relevant to understand not only the military mission of the 104th on the east coast but also locally just the economic impact i know it's in excess of 80 million dollars and then indirectly and directly with services i know they provide over 130 million dollars to the local economy so that's really really significant amount of impact economic impact in the region
Keefe: the westfield community the western mass community has been supporting barns for for generations
Rice: they have a commitment to the success of the base and they have a commitment to the success of the community too it's pretty deep rooted in the culture and the dna of every guardsman that's been here
Graydon: the air force has been a part of my family for a few generations now my grandfather actually worked at barnes as well he became a chief master sergeant so my family's been involved with the 104th for a long time
Phelon: but because of the chambers relationship i would expose the personnel up there to other businesses and and it just exponentially increased through that it's a very unique relationship
Graydon: i really appreciate being a part of something that i've viewed as a kid and i can give back to other children and possibly encourage them and inspire them to also do that in their future
Rice: what really what kept me in the unit really kept me apart of it was the people and to go on almost a half dozen appointments into combat with the people from here from barnes and then come back with them was was really special
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use your right hand and repeat after me i state your name
i am deardra rearden
do solemnly swear or affirm
do solemnly swear of affirm
that i will support and defend the constitution of the united states
that i will support and defend the constitution of the united states
against all enemies foreign and domestic
against all enemies foreign and domestic
and that i'll obey
and that I’ll obey
the orders of the president of the united states so let me go
so help me god
congratulations
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we are medics
we are logistics planners
we are intel
we are cyber transport
we are information technology
we are supply
we are aerospace medicine
we are paralegals
we are intel analysts
we are health services
we are personnel
we are fathers
we are sons
we are mothers
we are sisters and daughters
we are gen x we are millennials we are gen z
we lead by example
we're in charge of our own careers
we are the future
we are wingmen we are leaders we are warriors
we have answered the nation's call
we are faithful to a proud heritage
we have a tradition of honor
we have a legacy of valor
we are ready anytime anywhere
we stand up for what we believe in
we are changing the world
we're making history
we are airmen we are airmen we are airmen we are airmen we are airmen we are airmen we are airmen we are airmen we are airmen
we are ready for the next step
and we're not waiting for someone to tell us it's our turn to fly
we are the nation's first and we will not fail More