Congressman Neal and Oliver Attend Ribbon Cutting

  • Published
  • By Major Jennifer S. Christovich
  • 439th Airlift Wing
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass --  Col. Wade Farris, 439th Airlift Wing commander, Congressman Richard E. Neal (D-Springfield) and Congressman John W. Olver (D-Amherst) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new security forces building here Jan. 17. 

The building will hold the 140-member 439th Security Forces Squadron and allow them to move out of the World War II-era building they currently occupy. 

The building, started as a fiscal year 2003 project, was funded as a congressional insert by Congressman Olver. 

“The men and women of Westover greatly appreciate the commitment to our military that both Congressmen Olver and Neal have displayed throughout the years,” said Colonel Farris. “Having such an outstanding facility available for our security forces teams to perform their critical role as protectors of our assets is a real credit to the hard work and dedication of our civil engineers, our contractor and Congressman Olver.” 

“We’re very excited about the new technology we’ll get to experience while in the new location,” said Maj. Wesley A. Thiel, 439th security forces commander. 

New technology includes an elevator, central heat and air, state-of-the-art communications systems, an armory and more.