WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. (Jan. 31, 2019) -- U.S. Congressman Richard Neal and 439th Airlift Wing Commander Brig. Gen. D. Scott Durham held a news conference January 31 on base to announce $42.6 million in funding for a new C-5 maintenance hangar.
They were joined at the podium by Col. David Post, 439th Maintenance Group commander and Chicopee Mayor Richard J. Kos.
The money, passed in the DoD Appropriations for FY2019, will allow for the replacement of the current 70-year-old Regional ISO Maintenance Hangar. Westover ARB is home to the only C-5 minor ISO maintenance hangar in the entire Air Force.
C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft from all bases come to Westover for maintenance work. The Air Force has 55 C-5 in the fleet stationed at four bases across the country.
“This is a substantial investment and commitment to the base for the future.” said Chicopee Mayor Richard J. Kos. “The ground breaking for the base was in 1939 so this is like an 80th birthday present.”
“Not only is Westover a very important component of America’s National Defense but from the commercial aspect Westover is a huge economic generator in Western Massachusetts,” said Congressman Richard Neal. “This substantial improvement will keep Westover viable for years to come.”
This new maintenance inspection hangar will be built along Hangar Avenue beside Hangar 9. Before ground breaking can take place Building 2426, the “Avionics Building” will have to be demolished along with the parking lots on the south side of Hangar 9.