Air National Guard doing night training flights

WESTFIELD, Mass. (AP) -- Officials from the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard say pilots are doing night training flights this week.

Military officials want to make sure residents aren't alarmed by the increase in aircraft activity near the Westfield base.

The night missions began Tuesday and run through Thursday.

Air National Guard officials say planes will launch around dusk, with the last expected plane landing around 10 p.m.

They say the night training missions are a critical part of pilots' training so they are ready to respond to any airborne threats in the Northeast.