Photo By Melanie Casineau | David Paye, 104th Fighter Wing Groundsman Forman, explains what he does at work on...... read more read more
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BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Massachusetts- Civilians from the 104th Fighter Wing volunteered at the second annual Career Day at The Academy at Kiley in Springfield, Massachusetts, on March 19, 2025. The event highlighted career opportunities available to students after high school. The 104th Fighter Wing showcased careers in public affairs, HVAC, grounds management, facilities management, and the fire department.
This is the second year Vanessa Barkoski, Family and Community Engagement Specialist at the Academy at Kiley, has hosted Career Day.
“We started Career Day to expose our students to different careers and the paths to get there. We wanted to show them that everyone’s path is unique, but if you have a passion or interest in something, you can achieve it,” Barkoski said.
Paulo Dias, an HVAC specialist with the 104th Fighter Wing, demonstrated the equipment he uses in his work and presented maps showing the gas lines on the military base. Tracey Oleksak, a teacher at Kiley Academy, said one eighth-grade student changed her career choice to HVAC after speaking with Dias. The student, set to graduate this year, will attend a technical school in HVAC next fall.
“We have careers that require different degrees, and we also have trades and opportunities for entrepreneurs. The students are always excited to see who’s in the building, and they share how much they’ve learned from meeting everyone and hearing their stories. It’s always great to hear afterward about the new areas of interest they have,” Barkoski said.
Lt. Travis Whitbeck, a firefighter with the 104th, discussed the department’s role in supporting the flight line, including aircraft rescue and firefighting. In addition to supporting the wing, the fire department also aids the local community. The 104th has a mutual aid agreement with five surrounding communities, providing services to both base personnel and the public.
“I volunteered to visit Kiley because I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to speak about what the fire service has to offer,” Whitbeck said. “I remember wanting to be a firefighter in junior high, but I didn’t know about the path to a fire department career until I was in high school.”
Melanie Casineau, public affairs specialist with the 104th, and Jeffrey Almeida, facilities manager with the 104th, both attended Kiley Academy in middle school. Almeida said he was happy to return and give back to the school that helped shape his future.
There are approximately 100 civilian positions at the 104th Fighter Wing. Some employees are former military, while others have no military background. All support the wing and work alongside military personnel to ensure the base runs smoothly.
“We’re all part of the same team,” Casineau said. “It shouldn’t matter if we wear a uniform or not. We support and respect each other.”
| Date Taken: | 03.19.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.24.2025 12:24 |
| Story ID: | 493548 |
| Location: | WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 24 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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