15 Fast Facts about Westover

  • Published
  • 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass. --  1. Westover's economic impact was $225 million in 2013, but that number doesn't include the base's 29 tenants, which add another 2,160 personnel to its 740 civilians and 2,600 military. Grand total: about 5,500 people working at Westover.

2. Since 2010, the base has seen more than $78 million in infrastructure upgrades, including a $29.2 million flight line and runway upgrade, and a $24.5 million fuel hydrant system.

3. Westover is a vital inspection center for the nation's entire fleet of C-5s coming to our isochronal inspection dock - the only one in the Reserve Command.

4. The C-5 is critical to national security. It is the largest military aircraft in the U.S. and it is capable of carrying 270,000 lbs up to 6,000 miles.

5. The Air Force is investing $1.44 billion in replacing the engines and renovating the C-5B into the quieter, fuel-efficient, more reliable C-5M. The upgrade of Westover's aircraft is due to start in 2014 and finish in 2016.

6. Westover is a joint-use, military-civilian airport; the co-located metropolitan airport was created in 1974 by state legislation. Westover air controllers handled more than 30,000 landings and departures in 2012.

7. Situated on 2,511 acres, Westover is the largest reserve base in the nation by land mass.

8. Westover is a multi-service base: the Army has 10 units on base, the Marines have 4 units, and the Navy has 2 units.

9. Westover serves as an Incident Support Base for emergency management teams. In 2011, 2012, and 2013, Westover hosted hundreds of FEMA trucks, trailers, and generators for Hurricane Irene, Superstorm Sandy and winter storm Nemo relief efforts.

10. Westover has the third longest military runway on the East Coast - 11,597 feet. Air Force One uses the runway, and the airfield includes an accredited drop zone for low and high altitude parachute training.

11. From Sept. 11, 2001 through Dec. 31, 2012, Westover aircrews flew 74,681 hours and transported 204,812 tons of cargo.

12. Westover is about one hour closer to NATO countries in Europe than the next nearest logistics base. This proximity to Europe holds high strategic value.

13. Westover was chosen as the #1 wing of 33 in the Air Force Reserve for 2010 - the General Sherrard Award for Outstanding Unit. It has also recently earned numerous #1 slots in command competitions including best Human Resources Development Council, best Airman & Family Readiness Center, best maintenance group and section, top Communications Squadron, #1 Logistics Readiness Squadron, best Civil Engineering Squadron, top Emergency Management office, best base club, top legal advisor, #1 Public Affairs office, and a host of individual #1 awards.

14. Westover has been involved in every major military and humanitarian action in the last 30 years, including Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, as well as relief efforts to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, Houston following Hurricane Rita, Haiti following their earthquake, Japan following the earthquake and tsunami, and Patriot Missile delivery support to Turkey.

15. Westover has room to grow. In 2013, we hosted 200+ personnel and 12 F-15s from Barnes ANG Base. The base also hosts training for civilian firefighters from 45 communities and hosts the Springfield Police Academy.