WESTOVER AFB

• Origins in World War II: Westover Air Force Base (now Westover Air Reserve Base), located in Chicopee, Massachusetts, was constructed in 1939 and quickly became a major hub for military aviation during World War II. • Strategic Bombardment Center: During WWII, Westover served as a key site for training bomber crews, particularly those flying B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators. • Cuban Missile Crisis Role: In October 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Westover played a vital role as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) base, with bombers and tankers on high alert. • Largest Air Reserve Base: Westover is the largest Air Reserve base in the United States, covering over 2,500 acres and boasting one of the longest runways in the Northeast at 11,597 feet. • Presidential Visits: Westover has hosted multiple U.S. Presidents, including John F. Kennedy, who visited the base in 1960 during his successful campaign for the presidency. • Home of the C-5 Galaxy: The base is home to the 439th Airlift Wing, which operates the massive C-5M Super Galaxy, one of the largest military transport aircraft in the world. • Cold War Significance: As a SAC base, Westover housed B-52 bombers and KC-135 tankers, and was a target for Soviet missiles during the height of the Cold War. • Vietnam War Support: Westover played a critical logistics role during the Vietnam War, with numerous flights carrying troops and supplies to Southeast Asia. • Base Realignment and Transition: In 1974, Westover transitioned from an active-duty SAC base to an Air Force Reserve base as part of broader military realignments. • Community Engagement: Westover AFB is renowned for its annual airshows and open houses, drawing thousands of visitors and fostering strong community-military relations in Western Massachusetts.