CHICOPEE – Massachusetts State Representatives Donald F. Humason, Jr. (R-Westfield) and Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick) joined with colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature from across the Commonwealth for a tour of Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee and briefings with senior command staff.
Established in 1940, Westover ARB is the nation’s largest Air Reserve base and is home to the Air Force’s largest cargo aircraft, the C-5B. A total of 5,500 people are assigned to Westover ARB. The base is home to the 439th Airlift Wing and hosts joint partners from the Army, Navy, Marines and civil service. According to the fiscal year 2012 Economic Impact Report, $238 million flew into the western Massachusetts economy from the base.
“I want to thank Colonel Steven Vautrain, Wing Commander, and Lieutenant Colonel Jim Bishop, as well as the men and women of the 439th Airlift Wing for taking time out of their busy schedules to meet with me and my colleagues,” Humason said. “As a long time admirer of the men and women of our military, I respect the critical work they do and I thank them for their service to our country. And as Chairman of the Legislature’s Aviation Caucus I always welcome the chance to learn more about a historical airfield in Massachusetts”.
“The chance to tour the inside of the massive C-5 and speak to the flight crew and ground crew who fly and maintain these amazing aircraft was a real highlight for me and my fellow legislators,” Boldyga said. “Watching the C-5 take off from the air traffic control tower was an impressive sight for us to see. The men and women of the Guard and Reserve make us all proud.”
During their tour, the group learned of the various ways that Westover ARB supports the Air Force Reserve’s mission to provide combat-ready forces to fly, fight and win anywhere they are needed around the globe. The 439th Airlift Wing provides critical support for all of the Air Force Reserve’s missions.
A highlight of the tour was the chance to explore the cargo hold and flight deck of a C-5, one of the largest aircraft in the world. The fire department attached to the base also put on a demonstration of how they train to put out fires on an aircraft. Legislators and staff had a chance to try their hand at putting out fires as well.
“It was a pleasure to show some of the Commonwealth’s movers and shakers the work we do on the ground and in the air,” said Lt. Col. James Bishop, Westover’s chief of public affairs.
The 439th Airlift Wing provides worldwide movement of troops, supplies, equipment and medical patients. Support units provide communications, engineering, logistical, medical and security support.
Since 2001, thousands of airmen from Westover have deployed to support The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). At the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the base had more than 1,200 people deployed in-theater.
Westover’s C-5 and airmen also have a long history of supporting worldwide humanitarian missions, including Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and Haiti earthquake relief in 2010.
