Honorary commander “leads” A UTA

  • Published
  • By SSgt. George Cloutier
  • 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. --  Westover's first honorary commander took office during a commander's call Jan. 5 at the Base Hangar, when Col. Steven Vautrain, 439th Airlift Wing commander, swore in Bud Shuback.

The Honorary Commander Program encourages the exchange of ideas, experiences, and friendships between Westover leadership and key members of the local community, according to base officials.

Shuback, owner of Shuback Photography Studio in Chicopee, has a long history of involvement in the Westover community, going back to 1996 when he joined the Galaxy Community Council.Since joining the GCC and taking the position of president in 2007, Shuback has been involved in numerous Westover events, including several Family Days and the Great New England Air Shows.

He's "semi-retired," as a photographer and still volunteering hours to support Westover activities. He is an Air Force veteran, having worked as a Russian linguist and radio intercept operator from 1962 to 1969. He and his wife Sandra reside in Chicopee.

The honorary announcement caught Shuback off-guard.

The honorary announcement caught Shuback off-guard. "It was a shock," he said. "I'm truly humbled to be awarded this honorary commander position."

Westover is not the first base to start an honorary commander program. Mr. Shuback said one of his first steps as new honorary commander will be to look at those programs at other bases for ideas on how to tie together the military and local communities. "Mr. Shuback is an outstanding choice as our first honorary commander," said CMSgt. Michael Thorpe, 439th AW command chief. "He's able to foster relationships between the base and Chicopee, which increases an already strong bond between the wing and our community partners. This role will allow him to increase the visibility of Westover and the 439th throughout Western Massachusetts."