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Website showcases Westover history

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



CHICOPEE As a child growing up in Concord, Andrew Biscoe's hobby was the Air Force. He would write the public information officers at various bases and watch the planes flying in and out of Hanscom Field.

That hobby turned into a career, and Biscoe remains fascinated by the history of bases such as Westover Air Reserve Base where he is stationed.

"The Air Force has always been in my blood," said Biscoe.

Biscoe launched a web site in January devoted to collecting and sharing the history of the base. Located at www.westoveryesterday.com, his goal is to reach as many of the more than 7,000 military retirees who live in the area and post their photos and stories on the base.

"It's surprising how big and important the base was. I was amazed at how busy it was," Biscoe said. "It was a very important base. It's still important today."

Biscoe's site is not connected to the base or any of the units there.

"It's something I wanted to do for a long time, " he explained. "People have pride in the base and want to make a contribution to the heritage of the base."

On the site, Biscoe has sections on the various aircraft that have operated out of the base from the B-52 bombers to the KC-135 tankers to the C-5 cargo planes. There many photos from newspaper clippings and other sources as well as memories of serving at the base from retired Air Force personnel.

The days when the Strategic Air Command operated the base are featured as well as a section of how the base was changed from an active facility to a reserve base.

Biscoe said that site is a work in progress and he is interested in hearing from people who have photos or clippings about the base. He can be contacted by phone at 896-9899 or by e-mail at andrew24@earthlink.net.