WESTFIELD — During a change-of-command ceremony steeped in military tradition Saturday afternoon, the flag and colors of Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield were transferred to Col. Michael “Shot” Glass from the base’s outgoing 104th Fighter Wing Commander, Col. David “Moon” Halasi-Kun.
More than 1,000 personnel watched the colonel relinquish his command, standing at attention and saluting Halasi-Kun for a final time and Glass for their first. There were another hundred people at the event, including military and government officials along with family and friends of the colonels.
After leading the 104th Fighter Wing since 2022, the 50-year-old commander is leaving full-time military service. “I’m handing over the wing. I’ve really enjoyed the job and I’m a little bittersweet,” he told The Republican.
Halasi-Kun graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1998 and has since accumulated more than 3,000 hours flying the F-15, which had been stationed at the base until last October.
In his years at Barnes, he has been tasked with keeping the base combat ready — prepared to carry out its mission of defending New York and New England with superior airpower.
“About 40 million people and a third of the nation’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) sits underneath our coverage. If anything were to cross the Arctic Circle or come across the Atlantic and pose a threat to the United States, the first thing they would meet in terms of air power would be the 104th Fighter Wing Barnstormer,” he said.
As if to foreshadow the base’s next generation of air weapons, an F-35 Lightning II loomed large, an ominous backdrop for the ceremony in hanger 15.
The advanced fighter jet is replacing the F-15s, which had been stationed in Westfield beginning in 2007. Glass, 44, is now in charge of transitioning Barnes to house the fighter jets.
“I’m extremely excited and honored to be chosen to follow in Moon’s shoes. I’ve been working hard to make myself competitive for the position,” he told The Republican.
“I have been lucky to be on the leading edge of learning how to fly that airplane. It’s a cool challenge to bring in a new airplane and be the wing commander as we set up an entirely new enterprise,” he added.
The fighter wing’s alert mission will pause while it is equipped to house the F-35s. Pilots will be trained to fly, and mechanics will learn now to service them. Others will also become familiar with their support roles.
During this phase-in period, other bases will provide air support.
“The alert coverage for the United States is maintained despite our conversion and the mission of protecting the northeast and New York is ongoing,” said Glass.
“Converting from one airplane to another is something the Air Force has done for many years. They understand the process of doing so takes time and then at a certain point, I will say to my leadership, the 104th Fighter Wing is available for any and all taskings,” he added.
Halasi-Kun said the time is right for his departure as Barnes transitions away from the F-15s. He would not speculate on what his legacy will be — he is leaving others to define it. But he said his greatest accomplishment is grooming new leadership to succeed him.
“Our job is to forge leaders,” he said. “We’ve done an excellent job of empowering our lower commanders. Rather than giving direct orders, my focus has been on giving people broad guidance of a desired result. Making them feel like they’re part of the team and not just someone to order around.”
Major General Gary W. Keefe, the adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard, presided over the ceremony.
“The commander sets the tone, and Col. Halasi-Kun set it at the highest level,” he said
“His effectiveness, dedication, and drive have strengthened the 104th and prepared it for the future. As Col.l Glass steps into command, I am confident he will not only maintain that momentum but elevate it,” continued the Major General.
Halasi-Kun officially becomes a military retiree in March but has agreed to return part-time as the Air Component commander and eventually brigadier general out of the Joint Force headquarters in Boston.
While there is a lot on his radar, he said there is no rest for the weary.
“There is no vacation time, because since I will be serving part-time, I need a full-time job, so I’ve (joined) American Airlines and I report on Dec. 14 to begin training to fly a 737 passenger jet,” he said.
Glass is familiar with leadership positions at Barnes, having served as the Wing’s Operations Group commander from June 2023 to September 2025 before become deputy wing commander.
He now heads air protection of a major segment of America’s population and economy, but the gravity of this responsibility does not intimidate him.
“It doesn’t fall solely on my shoulders. We’ve empowered people to be professionals,” he said. “Obviously the buck stops with me, but I have full faith and confidence the people here are well trained to go into combat.”
Around 1,000 military personnel are stationed at Barnes, along with 100 civilians who work there. While the base’s alert mission will be on hold, its medical group, civil engineers, logisticians, police and firefighters can be deployed at any time, said Halasi-Kun.
“Even though the wing is in conversion,” he said, “if the governor or president calls, the other 500 personnel on this base not actively involved in the transition to the new aircraft can be called upon to serve at moment’s notice.”
