Westover Air Reserve Base facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Westover Air Reserve Base |
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| Chicopee, Massachusetts in the United States | |||||||||
An aerial view showing C-5 Galaxies of the 439th Airlift Wing parked on the ramp at Westover ARB
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 Westover ARB
Westover ARB
Westover ARB
Westover ARB
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| Coordinates | 42°11′38″N 72°32′05″W / 42.19389°N 72.53472°W | ||||||||
| Type | Air Reserve base | ||||||||
| Site information | |||||||||
| Owner | Department of Defense | ||||||||
| Operator | US Air Force (USAF) | ||||||||
| Controlled by | Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) | ||||||||
| Condition | Operational | ||||||||
| Site history | |||||||||
| Built | 1939 | ||||||||
| In use | 1939 – present | ||||||||
| Garrison information | |||||||||
| Garrison | 439th Airlift Wing (host) | ||||||||
| Airfield information | |||||||||
| Identifiers | IATA: CEF, ICAO: KCEF, FAA LID: CEF, WMO: 744910 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 73.4 metres (241 ft) AMSL | ||||||||
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Westover Air Reserve Base is a large military base in Chicopee and Ludlow, near Springfield, Massachusetts. It is part of the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC). This base was built before World War II started. Today, it is the biggest Air Force Reserve base in the United States.
About 5,500 military and civilian people work at Westover. The base covers 2,500 acres (about 10 square kilometers). Until 2011, it was a backup landing spot for the NASA Space Shuttle. Westover also has a growing civilian airport, Westover Metropolitan Airport, that shares its runways. The base is named after Major General Oscar Westover, who led the Army Air Corps in the 1930s.
The main unit at Westover is the 439th Airlift Wing (439 AW). This wing is part of the Fourth Air Force (4 AF) in the Air Force Reserve Command. The 439 AW and Westover help the Air Mobility Command (AMC) with its missions. Many different U.S. military planes use Westover ARB because it is one of the few active military air bases in the northeastern United States. Westover ARB also has the longest runway in Massachusetts.
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Units at Westover
Westover Air Reserve Base is home to many different military units. These units help with various tasks, from flying planes to providing support services.
Air Force Reserve Units
The main unit is the 439th Airlift Wing. It includes several groups and squadrons:
- 439th Operations Group: This group handles flying missions.
- 337th Airlift Squadron: They fly the large cargo planes.
- 439th Aerospace Medicine Squadron: They take care of the health of airmen.
- 439th Aeromedical Staging Squadron: They prepare patients for transport.
- 439th Operations Support Squadron: They help with flight planning and support.
- 439th Airlift Control Flight: They manage air traffic and ground operations.
- 439th Maintenance Group: This group keeps the aircraft in good shape.
- 439th Maintenance Squadron: They perform general maintenance.
- 439th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron: They work directly on the planes.
- 439th Mission Support Group: This group provides all kinds of support for the base.
- 439th Force Support Squadron: They help with personnel and family services.
- 439th Communications Squadron: They manage all communications systems.
- 439th Logistics Readiness Squadron: They handle supplies and transportation.
- 439th Civil Engineering Squadron: They maintain the base's buildings and grounds.
- 439th Security Forces Squadron: They provide security for the base.
- 58th Aerial Port Squadron: They load and unload cargo from planes.
- 42nd Aerial Port Squadron: Another unit for cargo handling.
Other Military Units
Westover also hosts units from other branches of the U.S. military:
- Civil Air Patrol (USAF Auxiliary):
- Westover Composite Squadron, NER-MA-015, Massachusetts Civil Air Patrol
- U.S. Army Reserve:
- 302nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
- 304th Transportation Company (Cargo)
- 655th Regional Support Group
- 382nd Military Police Battalion (CS)
- 287th Medical Detachment, 804th Medical Brigade
- U.S. Navy Reserve:
- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 27 (Seabees)
- U.S. Marine Corps Reserve:
- Marine Wing Support Squadron 472, Detachment B
- Marine Air Support Squadron 6
- Military Entry Processing Command (DOD):
- Springfield Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS Springfield)
History of Westover
Westover was first built as "Westover Field" in 1939. It was an U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) base. This was part of a bigger plan to create major air bases across the United States before World War II. After the U.S. Air Force was created in 1947, Westover Field became Westover Air Force Base.
In 1955, the Strategic Air Command (SAC) took over the base. SAC was in charge of long-range bombers and missiles. The 99th Bombardment Wing, Heavy (99 BMW) arrived in 1956. They flew B-52C Stratofortress bombers and KC-135A Stratotanker refueling planes. During the Vietnam War, planes from the 99th Bombardment Wing often went to Southeast Asia.
Stony Brook Air Force Station
From 1954 to 1962, a nearby site called Stony Brook Air Force Station was used to store special military equipment. It was one of only five such sites in the United States. Today, the Stony Brook site is used by power companies and other local businesses.
Becoming an Air Reserve Base
After the Vietnam War ended in 1973, the military reduced its budget. Instead of closing Westover Air Force Base, it was decided to transfer it to the Air Force Reserve (AFRES). In March 1974, the 99th Bombardment Wing left the base.
The 439th Tactical Airlift Wing (439 TAW), an AFRES unit, moved to Westover. They flew C-130 Hercules and C-123 Provider cargo planes. Westover AFB officially became an AFRES base on May 19, 1974. In 1987, the wing started flying the larger C-5 Galaxy planes. The wing was then renamed the 439th Military Airlift Wing (439 MAW).
In 1991, Westover AFB was renamed Westover Air Reserve Base, which is its current name. The 439 MAW became the 439th Airlift Wing (439 AW) in 1992.
Westover Today
In 1997, AFRES became the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC), a major command. The 439 AW is now part of the Fourth Air Force (HQ 4AF). In 2017, the 439 AW updated its fleet. They replaced their older C-5A and C-5B Galaxy planes with the newer C-5M Super Galaxy.
In 2005, a plan called the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) decided that Westover ARB would take in other military units from New England. This meant more service members and new buildings at the base. The base celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2015 with a big air show. The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, were the main attraction.
Base Facilities and Aircraft
The military part of Westover covers 2,500 acres. It has two main runways. One is about 11,597 feet long, and the other is about 7,085 feet long. A new Air Traffic Control tower was built in 2002.
Westover ARB works to protect the environment. The U.S. Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency are working together to clean up any old hazardous waste sites.
According to recent records, the airport has about 46 aircraft operations each day. Most of these are military flights. There are 37 aircraft based at the airport, including military planes, single-engine planes, multi-engine planes, jets, gliders, and helicopters.
Colonel Joseph D. Janik is the Commander of the 439th Airlift Wing, in charge of the military facilities. Michael Bolton is the Director of Civil Aviation, managing the civilian airport part.
Aircraft Incidents
Over the years, there have been some aircraft incidents at or near Westover Air Reserve Base.
- On August 12, 1953, a United States Navy R6D-1 Liftmater crashed after takeoff.
- On June 27, 1958, a USAF KC-135A Stratotanker crashed while trying to set a speed record.
- On August 10, 1959, a B-52C bomber from the 99th Bombardment Wing crashed near New Hampton, New Hampshire. The crew members were able to escape safely.
- On June 21, 1963, a USAF Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker crashed during an approach in heavy rain.
- On January 7, 1971, a B-52C Stratofortress from the 99th Bombardment Wing crashed into Lake Michigan during a training flight.
Previous Names of the Base
- Northeast Air Base (around 1939)
- Westover Field (1939)
- Westover Air Force Base (1948)
- Westover Air Reserve Base (1991)
- Westover Joint Air Reserve Base (2003)
- Westover Air Reserve Base (2003)
Major Commands Assigned to Westover
- Northeast Air District (1940)
- Air Transport Command (1946)
- Military Air Transport Service (1948)
- Strategic Air Command (1955)
- Air Force Reserve (1974 – present)
Main Units Assigned Over Time
Many different military units have been stationed at Westover throughout its history. Here are some of the major ones:
- 10th Signal Platoon (1940)
- 25th Base HQ and Air Base Squadron (1940)
- 34th Bombardment Group (1941)
- 60th Transport Group (1941)
- 13th Bombardment Group (1942)
- 64th Troop Carrier Group (1942)
- 301st Bombardment Group (1942)
- 326th Fighter Group (1942)
- 402d Fighter Group (1943)
- 459th Bombardment Group (1943)
- 471st Bombardment Group (1944)
- 386th Bombardment Group (1945)
- 409th Bombardment Group (1945)
- 341st Bombardment Group (1945)
- Army Air Forces Separation Port (1946)
- 1st Air Transport Group (Provisional) (1947)
- 2d Air Transport Wing (Provisional) (1947)
- Atlantic Division, Air Transport Command (1947)
- 520th Air Transport Wing (1948)
- 1600th Air Transport Wing (1948)
- Atlantic Division, Military Air Transport Service (1948)
- 143d Airways & Air Communications Service Squadron (1948)
- 8501st Air Transport Group (1949)
- Squadron VR-6 (US Navy) (1949)
- 60th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (1951)
- 3084th Aviation Depot Squadron (1954)
- 26th Air Refueling Squadron (1955)
- 324th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (1955)
- 337th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (1955)
- 384th Air Refueling Squadron (1955)
- 4050th Air Refueling Wing (1955)
- Eighth Air Force (1955)
- 8th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron (1955)
- 18th Communications Squadron (Air Force) (1955)
- 57th Air Division (1956)
- 99th Bombardment Wing (1956)
- 24th Aviation Depot Squadron (1957)
- 99th Air Refueling Squadron (1957)
- 4729th Air Defense Group (1957)
- North Atlantic Communications Region (1958)
- Air Force Satellite Photo Processing Laboratory (1961)
- 76th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (1961)
- 499th Air Refueling Wing (1962)
- 337th Military Airlift Squadron (1966)
- 905th Military Airlift Group (1966)
- 4713th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron (1972)
- 901st Tactical Airlift Group (1973)
- 439th Tactical Airlift Wing (1974)
- 439th Airlift Wing (1992 – present)
