Westover deployers headed to Southwest Asia, fly out from base Published July 28, 2016 By By Lt. Col. James Bishop 439th Airlift Wing WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- A contract "rotator" touched down here July 26 to pick up dozens of troops from the 439th Airlift Wing headed for Southwest Asia. Also on board were more than 100 Marines from Cherry Point, N.C. It's the first time since a 2011 Operational Readiness Inspection that a large group of personnel were able to depart directly from Westover on one mission. Usually, they fly out individually through commercial airports. To make the contract pickup happen, Base Logistics Planners contacted a string of agencies - Air Force Reserve Command, Tanker/Airlift Control Center, and Air Mobility Command - with justification, which included substantial cost savings. In the end, the savings in individual tickets and hotel rooms alone was between $24,000 - $80,000 depending on ticket prices, said SMSgt. Charles Carlin, Superintendent of Logistics Plans. "The more measurable price is the human side," Carlin said. Families can come for the send-off. The wing commander, Col. Jay Jensen, can shake each deployer's hand, and there's no travel delay or uncertainty in going downrange. FLIGHT OUT >> Dozens of troops from Westover Air Reserve Base head for Southwest Asia on a contract "rotator". The single-point pickup on base saved tens of thousands of dollars and allowed families to send off their loved ones.