Location
The 439th Airlift Wing is a unit of the Air Force Reserve Command. The Wing is assigned to Westover Air Reserve Base, in Chicopee, Massachusetts located in the northeast region of the United States of America.
History
Westover is the nation’s largest Air Force Reserve base and operates 16 C-5A aircraft. Westover has been in operation since 1940 and served as a bomber training base and port of embarkation/debarkation during World War II; as a staging point for the Berlin Airlift,; headquarters of the Military Airlift Command system through 1955; and then as a major base of operations for the Strategic Airlift Command until 1974. Since May 19, 1974, Westover has been an Air Force Reserve base.
Mission
Westover ARB is capable of providing worldwide air movement of troops, supplies, equipment and medical patients. Airlift also involves airdrop and combat off-load operations. Support units provide communications, engineering, logistical, medical and security requirements.
Population Served
Currently 2,500 reservists are assigned to the Wing at Westover. They train (or serve) one weekend each month and also serve a 15-day annual tour of duty each year. The 337th Airlift Squadron is the Wing’s flying unit at Westover. Westover is operated on a day to day basis by a work force of about 1,000 civilians, including 501 Air Reserve Technicians.
Base Transportation
Currently, there is no base transportation on this installation.
Sponsorship
Upon official notification of a member assignment to Westover, Customer Service will send the member a newcomer’s package informing them of the date and time they are scheduled for Newcomers Orientation at the Welcome Center. Each unit has personnel assigned to welcome and greet new personnel. At a designated time unit member representatives will meet their new member and bring them to their unit for introduction.
If you need more information, please contact the Military Personnel Flight Customer Service Office at DSN 589-3430 or (413)557-3430.
Temporary Quarters
Please call as far in advance as possible to make reservations at the Temporary Lodging Facility. Flyers Inn, 650 Airlift Drive, Chicopee, MA 01022, (413) 557-2700, DSN 589-2700, Air Force Reservations 1-888-235-6343. No Pets allowed. Junior enlisted personnel should work closely with your sponsor and First Sergeant to arrange for a dorm room to be ready on your arrival.
Relocation Assistance
Please contact Family Support Center, Bldg 1100, for a personal welcome, area information, and loan closet items available to you while you are waiting for your household goods to arrive. A lending library is available and computers can be used for job hunting, resumes, and for email. The Family Support Center can be contacted at (413) 557-3024, DSN 589-3024 or 1-866-690-2161.
All new military personnel must report for a two day Newcomer’s Orientation at 0730 on Saturday of the AUTA at the Welcome Center Classroom (Bldg 1850, Wing Headquarters) across from the 439th Support Group commander’s office. Personnel will be released after in-processing is accomplished. Members should plan on reporting to their assigned unit on Sunday morning at 0700 to sign in. Newcomers will then report to the Welcome Center, Bldg 1850, for Ancillary Training, at 0800. If you need more information, please contact the Military Personnel Flight Customer Service Office at DSN 589-3430 or (413) 557-3430.
Critical Installation Information
In the winter months, October through April expect black ice or snow/ice and the roads. Good wipers, plenty of windshield wiper fluid, and a full tank of gas are critical.
Passports and Visas
Ensure member and/or dependents have the required passports and/or visa prior to final out-processing. Member and/or dependents are not allowed to final out-process without the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents. Members electing the accompanied tour will not be permitted to out-process without having the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.
These actions are necessary to prevent unforeseen hardships to the military members and their families. Therefore, as a last reiteration, it is essential, members do not out-process without having the appropriate passports/visas for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.
Frequently Called Numbers on Base
Area code is 413 unless otherwise indicated
Base operator 557-1110
Military Personnel Flight – Customer Service 557-3874
(military & dependent ID Cards)
Airman & Family Readiness 557-3025
Base Exchange 593-0232
Base Lodging/Billeting Office – Flyers Inn 557-2700
Base Housing Office 331-3205
Barber Shop 557-1035
Bowling Alley 557-3990
Chaplain 557-3360
Clinic 557-3012
Education and Training office 557-3440
Finance
(Reserve Pay) 557-3880
(Travel Pay) 557-3461
Fire Dept. 557-3818
Fitness center 557-3958
Legal Office 557-3513
Honor Guard 557-3342
439th Maintenance Group 557-3816
439th Mission Support Group 557-3044
439th Operations Group 557-2204
439th AW Inspector General 557-3137
Outdoor Recreation – FamCamp – Four Seasons 557-2192
Shoppette 557-3869
Visitor’s Center/ Vehicle Pass 557-2012
Passenger Terminal 557-3453
Public Affairs Office 557-2020
Recruiting 557-2125
Security Forces Law enforcement desk 557-3557
Snowline (inclement weather announcements) 557-3444
Space-A Travel 557-2549
Tricare (413) 781-7360 1-877-874-2273
USO 557-2012