WESTFIELD -- Col. Peter T. Green III took the helm as commander of the Air National Guard's 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Regional Airport this weekend.

Green, a more than 30-year veteran of the unit, was hand-picked for the assignment based on previous unit command and senior leadership assignments both at the 104th and at state National Guard headquarters, according to the state's adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe

Green, of Southwick, has been the 104th's vice commander for the last three years and has served in the Air Guard for over 36 years.

"He is the right leader to take the wing into what will be a bright and exciting future, and insure we continue to develop the next generation of leaders responsible for a sound strategic vision and plan," said Keefe, himself a former officer with the 104th.

Green is not a pilot, making him the first non-rated wing commander in the history of the 104th.

"I have a great team of pilots at all levels who will support me in any issues that I do not know about and need to review to make a decision," he said. "My Vice Commander is Lt. Col. David Halasikun, a very experienced pilot, along with my Operations Group Commander, Lt. Col. Andrew Jacob and my Fighter Squadron Commander, Lt. Col. Jeffery Beckel. All are rock solid F-15 Fighter Pilots and leaders."

Green said his experience, along with his staff, will mean continued expertise for the 104th.

"Bottom line, like a CEO, I have experience in many areas on the base and I fully understand the flying and maintenance mission that is at the core of what we produce," he said. "Fully mission capable pilots, in fully mission capable aircraft for our Air Superiority and Aerospace Control Alert missions. My role is to lead the whole organization with my team."

Col. James M. Suhr, the outgoing commander, is moving to a new assignment at the Pentagon to work in the Air Force secretary's Legislative Liaison office. He will be in a position both to educate and advocate for the Air Guard with his active duty peers and senior Air Force leadership, according to Keefe.

Suhr had led the unit since early 2017, the first active-duty Air Force commander to do so. His appointment came as part of the U.S. Air Force Total Force Integration, which was aimed at increasing efficiency in the Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, officials said.

The change-of-command ceremony will take place Aug. 5 at 3:30 p.m. at the air base.

The 104th is home to a fleet of 18 F-15 Eagle fighter jets and employs more than 700 traditional guardsmen and more than 300 full-time military technicians. It has an annual payroll in excess of $36 million. The wing is part of the Aerospace Control Alert, with pilots and jets prepared to scramble at moment's notice in response to emergencies and threats anywhere in the skies over the Northeast.

Green said what he looks forward to most as commander is "focusing on taking care of the people and the mission" and said sustaining and modernizing the F-15 fleet, while planning for the next generation fighter like the F-35, will be his biggest challenge.

The 104th has been a major part of discussions about contaminated drinking water, which has been linked to firefighting foam used at the air base, on the north side of Westfield. Some city councilors and residents have demanded the city receive payment from the 104th to fix contaminated wells, and the city filed a tort claim against the Department of Defense.

Green said the wing is doing what it can to be a good partner.

"The 104th Fighter Wing has been here for over 70 years. Over 150 of our members live in Westfield and most of the rest in the surrounding towns. We have and continue to maintain a very positive relationship with the city and its leadership," said Green. "We are working with them whenever we can at our level, to help facilitate dialogue with the National Guard Bureau and Air Force, as we continue through the (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) process. We continue to look for ways to expedite the process with federal officials."

A hanger renovation was recently completed at the base and Green said future projects include building a new propulsion, aerospace ground equipment and nondestructive inspection facility to replace an old and outdated facility.

A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Green joined the unit as a traditional guardsman in 1982 and first served as a security police officer. He has a master's degree in organizational psychology from Springfield College and is also a graduate of the Air War College.

During his career at the 104th, he has served in a variety of command and headquarters positions both full and part time. He is a past commander of the unit's Services Flight, Mission Support, Aircraft Maintenance and Security Forces squadrons, and, before becoming vice commander, was commander of the 104th Maintenance Group.

During deployment to Southwest Asia in 2003 with the 104th when it saw combat duty as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was commander of the expeditionary group's repair flight for the A-10 attack jets that were flown by the unit at the time.

Military service is a Green family tradition. Green's father served in the Naval Reserve and his grandfather served in World War II.

Green grew up in Springfield and is married to Kathy, a retired lieutenant colonel from the Massachusetts Air National Guard. They have two daughters, Mackenzie, a college junior, and Shannon, a high school senior. Green enjoys traveling, cruising, target shooting and rock and roll. His family has three rescue pets -- one dog, Axel, and two cats, Marta and Nellie.