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Date: 10/30/2015
CHICOPEE – Westover Air Reserve Base had a greater economic impact on the region in fiscal year 2015 than it did the previous year, despite a $2 million decrease in military pay.
The 439th Airlift Wing released the annual figures on Oct. 26. The impact was $221 million in fiscal year 2015, representing a $319,000 increase over the previous year of $220,856,889. In 2013, the impact was $224,946,752, in 2012, $237,936,751, and in 2011, $237,568,913.
Dan McCarthy, Westover cost and management analyst, noted for fiscal year 2014, the value of jobs created decreased by about $500,000 due to cuts in the federal budget.
The report added in fiscal year 2015 there was a net increase of $6 million in construction and related expenditures.
“Despite declining military budgets, Westover's joint-base operations continue to provide an economic engine for Western Massachusetts,” Col. Albert Lupenski, 439th Airlift Wing commander, said. “Budget belt-tightening is going on across the Air Force, but we're glad our base’s relevance and versatility continue to support the economies of communities near the base significantly.”
The number of base employees decreased from 3,613 in 2014 to 3,345 in 2015. In 2013, Westover employed 3,813 people. This year's number includes 2,260 Air Force reservists, down from 2,319 last year. There are 675 federal employees now (712 last year) and 277 non-appropriated fund and contract employees (287 last year).
When asked if the base’s command anticipates a drop during the next period FY16 if there isn’t a continuation of construction projects at the base, MSgt. Andrew Biscoe, a spokesperson for the base, told Reminder Publications, “We’d be speculating about the status of FY16, but we can certainly point to this past fiscal year’s solid construction figures as mentioned in the economic impact release. However, for fiscal year 2014, the value of jobs created decreased by about $500,000 due to cuts in the federal budget.”
he 439th Airlift Wing has seen a decrease in its number of C-5 transport planes. Biscoe said, “Our 439th Airlift Wing’s C-5s now number just 10 (down from 16). We’ll be down to eight by early 2016. We expect to be equipped with the first C-5M by mid-2017. Eventually, the wing will be equipped with 8 C-5Ms. These C-5s will feature newer, quieter, and more powerful engines.”
The economic figures and personnel counts do not include the base's 28 tenant units, which include ten Army units and three Marine units, which together employ about 1,680 people, mainly reservists.