Supporting the Men and Women of the 104th Fighter Wing
About Us
Our Mission Statement
At the Thunderbolt Council, Inc., our mission is to wholeheartedly support and honor the men and women of the 104th Fighter Wing. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we are dedicated to providing vigorous assistance, resources, and advocacy for the brave individuals serving in this outstanding unit. Through our commitment to their well-being, professional development, and community integration, we strive to create a network that fosters camaraderie, resilience, and success within the 104FW. By honoring their sacrifices and celebrating their accomplishments, we aim to uplift and empower these dedicated servicemembers and their families as they courageously defend our nation.
Annual Awards Banquet - Congratulations to All Award Winners!
The reviews are in with all giving this year’s event a unanimous thumbs-up! From the venue, to the food, to the comradery, universal praise was heard as the members of the 104th Fighter Wing came together on 1 Feb 2025 at the New England Air Museum to celebrate the best and the brightest the unit has to offer. As you can see in the images below, there were plenty of smiles as award winners collected their hardware in front of the F-15 on display! These individuals embody an unwavering dedication to the defense of our nation, and it is through events like these that we are able to recognize their extraordinary efforts. Highlighting the accomplishments of these exceptional individuals helps ensure the continued success of the unit and also serves as motivation to reach even greater heights in the future.
The Thunderbolt Council is once again proud to support this important annual event and we’d like to take a moment here to extend a huge THANK YOU to our many sponsors. The generous donations and discounted services they provided went a LONG way toward offsetting the cost of this important event! Please see the list of this year’s sponsors and partners (with links to their websites) below:
*Note – click on an image in the carousel below for a full-sized version
Council Membership
Gary "maddog" Hagar, lt col (ret)
president
Gary served as a fighter pilot in the USAF for over 20 years, with assignments flying the AT-38 and A-10. After leaving military service, he flew for Southwest Airlines, retiring as a B-737 captain in 2023.
EJ gunning, col (ret)
Treasurer/administrative officer
EJ served in the 104th Fighter Wing, MAANG, for nearly 32 years, retiring in June 2014. During his tenure with the 104th, he held positions as squadron pilot (A-10, C-12), Intel Officer, Logistics Officer, Comm Flt Commander, Comptroller, and Mission Support Group Commander.
jim "comet" halley, col (ret)
member
Jim retired after 34 years of service in the Massachusetts Air National Guard in 2021. Comet served at the 104FW as an A-10 crew chief, A-10 pilot, and as an F-15C pilot. At retirement, he held the position of Director of Operations for the MAANG. He currently flies for Delta Airlines as a A-330 captain.
fred "gumby" liguori, lt col (ret)
member
Fred served in the 104th Fighter Wing for more than 20 years, flying the unit’s A-10 aircraft, and filling numerous leadership positions with the Operations Group. Until his retirement in 2020 (after more than 34 years of service) Fred flew for American Airlines as a Captain and Check Airman on the B-777.
galen wilson, cmsgt (ret)
member
Galen’s military career included stints at Lowry AFB, Minot AFB and Loring AFB while on active duty as well as assignments with the 102FW and 104FW. He retired as a Chief Master Sergeant in 2013. Since retirement, Galen has focused his efforts on building the world-class Aviation Technology Maintenance program at Westfield Technical Academy.
Legal Stuff - IRS Filings, By-Laws, Commonwealth Documents, Etc.
Supported events
Here's a quick look at recent events supported by the Thunderbolt Council (click images for a full screen version):
winter wonderland/trees for soldiers 2024
The 104FW Wellness Team hosted their annual Christmas tree giveaway on 30 November 2024. Dubbed "Winter Wonderland", the team partnered with Operation Service, 4H, Military One Source and the Thunderbolt Council. The event featured two hundred fresh Christmas trees (provided by Operation Service) distributed to unit members, information from Military One Source, activities for the kids, refreshments and even a visit from Santa! A good time was had by all.
2024 Children's Holiday party
The 104th Fighter Wing (104FW) and Army Aviation Support Facility #2 (AASF2), with support from the Thunderbolt Council, hosted a memorable Children's Holiday Party on December 8, 2004. The event saw record attendance, reflecting the community's enthusiasm for this cherished tradition. Children and families enjoyed a delightful array of activities, including gift-giving, festive crafts, and delicious refreshments that added to the holiday cheer. The highlight of the celebration was a special visit from Santa Claus, who brought joy and excitement to the young attendees. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the 104FW, AASF2, and the Thunderbolt Council, the event was a resounding success, ensuring a joyous start to the holiday season for everyone involved.
Wreaths Across America
Over one hundred 104th Fighter Wing members, and their families volunteered to participate in Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery - Agawam's Wreaths Across America, December 14, 2024. This event remembered and honored our veterans through the laying of Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes.
104fw vs 103aw hockey game
On Friday, 1 March 2024, the 104th Fighter Wing "Barnestormers" squared off with the 103 Airlift Wing for a hockey game with bragging rights on the line. The game was played at the XL Center in Hartford, CT., and took place just prior to the Hartford Wolfpack game that evening. Lt Col Sean Cahill reports that the Barnestormers fought hard, but came-up just short in a 4-3 loss. No worries - everyone had a good time! With Thunderbolt Council support, 75 unit members were able to attend and enjoy this event!