(courtesy of the 104th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office)

(104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield) – In an effort to show Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), bosses and community leaders joined the 104th Fighter Wing on January 17-18, 2007 on a tour of the Combat Readiness Training Center in Savannah, Georgia.

Over 30 guests received an inside view of the 104th Fighter Wing operations including a brief of A-10 capabilities, life support equipment, aerial gunnery, as well as a tour of the 8th Air Force Museum. Employers came from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine and Vermont.

In addition to bosses, several community leaders joined the trip including State Senator Michael Knapik from Westfield, Massachusetts; Representative Michael Kane from Holyoke; and Fire Commissioner Albert Masciadrelli from Westfield.

“We joined hands with the Massachusetts Committee for the ESGR to give employers insight on the activities of a citizen Airman,” said Col. Thomas Cantwell, Vice Commander of the 104th Fighter Wing. “This was also an opportunity for us to express our thanks for employer support - support that is vital to our success.”

Employers who attended the event represented small and big organizations, including Fran Johnson’s Golf & Tennis, General Dynamics, Advance Information Systems, Governors America Corporation, Hamilton Standard, Hampton County Sheriff's Department, Hartford Insurance Group, James J. Dowd & Sons, Massachusetts State Police, New England Financial, Oak Hill, Pelland Electric, Skirig Development Group, Stran Technologies, Sugar Tree Woodworking, The Connecticut Children's Place, UPS, United Water, Valley Marketing, Veterans Administration Medical Center and Zales.

Master Sgt. John Stec, a resident of Worthington, MA works as an aircraft maintenance supervisor at the 104th Fighter Wing. As a civilian, Stec is a Trooper with the Massachusetts State Police. He nominated his employer, Sgt. William Blackmer from the Cheshire Barracks because “he has been extremely helpful and understanding whenever I need time off for Guard related business. Sgt. Blackmer has never denied a request and does whatever is necessary to support the Guard.”

Master Sgt. Terrance Tor, a resident of Windsor, CT works as a computer technician at the 104th Fighter Wing. As a civilian, Tor, is a Desktop Automation Specialist. He nominated his boss Lee Kelly, Assistant Director with the Hartford Insurance because “Lee has been extremely supportive of the National Guard and Reserve. He has backed me up wherever and whenever needed. He does not hesitate to ensure I have the time I need for any event. I really appreciated the opportunity to be able to show him what his commitment allows us to do.”

“The Massachusetts Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is delighted to sponsor this trip,” said Kenneth Forchielli, State Chair. “The support of these employers and community leaders means a great deal to the Citizen-Airmen of the 104th Fighter Wing, the unit, the Massachusetts Air National Guard and to our nation. We acknowledge their signing of a ‘Statement of Support’ as a pledge of support, commitment and resolve to honor the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve who bolster the defense of America, both here and abroad.”

For more information on signing a ESGR Statement of Support, please visit the Resources page of the ESGR website at http://www.esgr.org.