[MilCom] KBAF Lodging & Viewing Points for "Near Scene"/ "On Scene" Activities

[Ken]

Barnes Municipal Airport (KBAF) www.airnav.com KBAF & 
http://www.barnesairport.com/   is the home to the 104 Fighter Wing (ANG) 
http://www.mabarn.ang.af.mil/ & the MA Army National Guard Aviation Support 
Activity/aero unit .

Refering to the above two websites, Grove's "Frequency Master File", and 
this list's archives for frequency information.

Generally there's very limited military aviation activity at KBAF.  You can 
expect to see A10's taking off & landing, with limited local pattern work as 
well as UH60's, UH1's, OH58's, OH6's also performing limited operations, 
since generally Army National Guard aero units train in the Dog Patch 
training area at KCEF (load lift & NVG ops) , Mt Tom State Resv (NVG ops) & 
October Mountain (NVG & load lift ops) away from this airport. BRAC will 
result in F15 aircraft being assigned (and replacing A10's)  to this base by 
2008.  Extremely limited amount of training/RON by military aircraft, on 
occassion C130's & P3's perform very limited touch/goes, ILS approaches, 
local pattern work.   The airport supports a large number of private 
aircraft & also provides significant maintenance & transit support for 
business type executive jet aircraft (see airport website above).

LODGING  CLOSE BY:  (see www.airnav.com above & also 
http://www.springfield.worldweb.com/WestfieldMA/WheretoStay/HotelsMotels/index.html

*Econo Lodge (Southampton Rd, just off Interstate 90 Exit 3)  -- this is 
closest facility to the airport.  Generally other large hotels/motels are 
located in West Springfield MA & none provide an  "near scene"/"on scene" 
view of the airport.

ON SCENE/NEAR SCENE VIEWING AREAS:
*Civilian Airport Administration Building/Terminal/Tower area --- Apremont 
Way, Westfield --- Provides limited views of takeoffs runway 20, landings 
Runway 2,  low approaches Runways 20/2, Runways 15/33.  It's an authorized 
public parking area for viewing etc. & also has a small snack bar & restroom 
facilities.  There's a Fixed Base Operator (5 Star) right next to the 
parking area so FAA related charts & directories can be purchased. 
However, hobbyists are caution from approaching/standing next to the airport 
perimeter security fencing.  During air show preshow arrivals this is the 
major parking areas & has provided adequate for photo/video.  During other 
times, I've never had a problem parking here & watching, monitoring, & 
photographing aircraft.

*Mass Turnpike Interstate 90 , turnout rest area (no facilities)) -- Located 
in eastbound lane just after exit 3 interchange.  Affords outstanding view 
of Runway 2 approach & Runway 20 take off as well as (fair/good view) 
aircraft on low approach for runways 15/33.  It unclear as to how long time 
wise hobbyist can remained parked at that location without Mass State PD 
response.  During airshows no parking is allowed.  There is no stopping 
permitted in the west bound lane in that same area.

*Apremont Park (Airport Rd, Route 202/Southampton Rd) --  Public access park 
with very limited view of local aero traffic.

*Route 202 East/North Rd --- May provide some limited stop side of the road 
watching of runway #20 approaches/Runway #2 takeoff/climb out.

*Airport Industrial Drive/Old Stage Rd  (off US Route 202, Westfield) 
provides a somewhat limited view of the east side of the field portions of 
runways #2/#20 as well as #15/#33.  It's been reported by some hobbyists 
that stopping/parking along this road has resulted in military security 
action/local police response.  Generally security improvements, (new fencing 
& construction of security earth berm) has restricted viewing of aircraft on 
the runway.  The road terminates in a circle next to the General Dynamics 
executive jet facility & no unofficial parking is permitted.

*Runway #33 approach/Runway#15 takeoff -- Private property/wooded area no 
access known  (East Mountain Rd, Westfield)
*Runway #15 approach/Runway #33 takeoff -- Private property/wooded area no 
access known (US Route 202/Southampton Rd).

WARNING/DISCLAIMER:
Of course overall nationwide Homeland Security threat level as well as
military nationwide/local Force Protection/Threat Conditions may further
dictate the tolerance of allowing hobbyists to be in any area close to
airport security perimeter fencing.   Also with the exception of public
parks/recreational areas, all other locations are on private business
property with public access authorized, BUT you might be requested to leave
that area.

This information is provided to the milcom hobby monitoring community for
your personal use without any warranty and any "on scene"/"near scene"
activity is performed AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!  You may be subject to military
security/local police response, temporary detention, & questioning to
include, but not limited to:  Explanation of what you are doing; exterior
vehicle inspection/requested voluntary full vehicle search/inspection, photo
ID/driver's license & vehicle registration law enforcement computer records
checks, so be sure your are legal in every aspect!  Of course there's still
the lingering question about whether people questioned next to military air
bases perimeter fencing are entered into a nationwide "suspicious" incidents
data base for potential further investigative followup.

Other than the above, be safe & have fun!!!!

Ken