Concern near Barnes over projected cuts

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Barnes Air National Guard Base provides 24 hour protection for the entire Northeast and with proposed budget cuts to the military, Massachusetts officials want to make sure the safety of the area and the local economy are left intact. Still, these cuts are leaving many on edge.

The 104th Fighter wing at Barnes is the first line of air defense for the region but the projected military cuts could effect the Westfield base and five other military bases in Massachusetts. That's why Lt. Governor Tim Murray toured Barnes on Friday.

He's preparing and promoting the military bases because these cuts will not be easy. “We're meeting because we are concerned but again I think it's about being proactive, doing that hard analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each of the facilities and doing everything we can to promote those strengths and shore up some of those weaknesses,” said Lt. Governor Murray.

Cuts to Barnes or Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee could be detrimental to the entire area. Barnes and Westover combined serve as Western Massachusetts fifth largest employer.

That's apparent at Santorini Pizza and Restaurant in Westfield where military men and women in uniform are regulars.

“Very big for this area, if they do cuts in this area there would be a big loss especially for the businesses and I don't know how many people live around here that go to Barnes but absolutely the businesses would lose a lot,” said Westfield resident Jim Dufraine.

An economic impact study shows that Barnes generates 1600 jobs directly and indirectly to the area every year and almost everyone knows someone who is in some way involved at the base.

Pete Syckiewicz of Westfield said, “My brother's working over there now, my son wants to go in the guard and now he's looking at wherever he gets to go he might not have a choice, he might have to travel.”

Lt. Governor Murray will continue to tour the 5 other bases throughout the state over the next couple months.