Air Force announces more than 50 positions to be added to base

Published May 12, 2010
By 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- An increase of more than 50 positions here will reflect a planned nationwide increase in the Air Force Reserve from 69,500 people to 71,200 for Fiscal Year 2011.

     The Air Force announced that the 439th Airlift Wing will increase by 13 drill positions in support of security forces manpower requirements. In addition, two active guard/reserve (AGR) positions and 44 drill positions will support civil engineering manpower requirements.

     The AGR additions are full-time positions. The 57 drill positions are traditional Air Force Reserve jobs.

     This is the second consecutive year Westover has gained more people as a result of the force restructuring. Last year, the Department of Defense announced 13 position increases at the isochronal inspection hangar, where in-depth C-5 maintenance work is performed.

     Westover is the nation's largest Air Force Reserve base physically, covering 2,500 acres. April's surge of operations at the base has brought on about 500 maintenance, support units, and flying crews. In addition, about 300 more reservists are deploying overseas to Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 100 have already departed the base and are scheduled to be deployed until the fall.

     For a detailed look at how the force structure announcements are affecting bases nationwide, visit http://www.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-100511-081.pdf