A year in review: 2014

  • Published
  • By MSgt. Andrew Biscoe
  • 439th AW Public Affairs
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. --  Force cuts, base construction, and a new wing commander led the headlines in 2014 at Westover Air Reserve Base.

Local and regional media huddled outside base operations April 28 under the looming tail of a Patriot Wing C-5. The press conference brought a difficult reality resulting from Pentagon budget cuts: Brig. Gen. Steven Vautrain, the wing commander, announced that the base would lose eight C-5s beginning in March 2015 and more than 330 maintenance positions beginning in October 2015. The remaining eight C-5s are scheduled to be re-engined to C-5M Super Galaxy airlifters.

In early May, Deborah Lee James, the Secretary of the Air Force, toured the base with Lt. Gen. James Jackson, AFRC commander. The visit included a town hall-style meeting held in the Base Hangar. Maintenance Airmen also hosted the secretary and commander for a tour of the isochronal inspection dock and mobile tail enclosure.

A few months later under blue skies, Westover welcomed its 14th commander. Col. Albert Lupenski, who arrived from Scott Air Force Base, Ill., on the September A UTA. Col. Lupenski, who has more than 32 years of military service including tenure as an enlisted member, previously led the 932nd Airlift Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command tenant unit at Scott. Brig. Gen. John Flournoy, 4th Air Force commander, presided over the change of command ceremony. Brig. Gen. Steven Vautrain, outgoing commander since August 2011, headed to the Pentagon to begin his new assignment.

The wing's top enlisted billet changed in November. CMSgt. David Carbin retired. Col. Lupenski chose CMSgt. Timothy Maguire, a 24-year Patriot Wing veteran, as the new command chief.

Despite declining military budgets, the wing kept busy with its worldwide missions. Westover C-5 crews brought supplies back from Afghanistan. Denton Amendment humanitarian sent crews to Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The cargo included an ambulance, medical supplies, food, and a school bus.

During a mid-July press announcement, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick cited Westover's space as a reason for the base's possible housing of more than 1,000 immigrant children. The news of this possibility attracted national and local media attention, but in a matter of weeks, state officials informed Westover leadership that the base was no longer being considered as a shelter for the children.
More than 600 Airmen and their spouses gathered in the Base Hangar Oct. 4 to honor the base's 75th anniversary during the first military ball held since 1990. Brig. Gen. Udo McGregor, former 439th Operations Group commander, was the keynote speaker.

Westover's economic impact for fiscal year 2014 topped out at nearly $221 million - only $4 million less than the year before. A major contributor to the robust economic engine that the base provides western Massachusetts was the ongoing construction. On the flight line an underground fuel hydrant system took shape. When finished, the new system replaces a 1950s-era fuel supply. The James Street Gate was closed in the fall and will remain closed until the spring of 2015. The $36 million set aside for Westover's construction comprised more than 20 percent of AFRC's nationwide construction budget.

Another periodic economic driver is the Great New England Air Show, set to be held May 16-17. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will perform at Westover for the first time in the base's history. The air show also honors the 75th anniversary of Westover's service to the nation.