In the News

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – An event was held at Westover Air Reserve Base for the start of a new aircraft maintenance hangar and the completed indoor small-arms firing range.

Breaking ground on a new airplane hangar took place at Westover Air Reserve Base Tuesday. The hangar is for maintenance of C-5 aircrafts and the inspection program for them that takes place at Westover. The current airplane hangar that they do the inspections in at Westover isn’t big enough for what they need for how big the planes are, and being one of only two bases in the entire county that can do these inspections, they’re going to need more space.

“We’re going to be fortunate enough now with the brand new hangar to fully enclose the aircraft, go figure. So it’s a great opportunity for the men and women to get the mission accomplished,” said Colonel Joseph Janik.

According to a news release sent to 22News from Lt Col Furr, building 7015 will be a fully-enclosed aircraft maintenance hangar being constructed to support Westover’s eight permanently-assigned C-5 Super Galaxy aircraft and a Regionalized Isochronal (ISO) Inspection Program for C-5 aircraft assigned throughout the Air Force. The $46.4 million project is scheduled to be completed by December 2023.

A ribbon cutting was also held Tuesday for the new 22,544 square foot indoor small-arms range. It was created to train airmen who require certification in the use of up to 45-caliber handguns, 12-gauge shotguns, and rifles up to 7.62mm.

28 shooting lanes
Weapons cleaning room
Space for range supplies
Target storage
Restrooms
“I think this represents a significant investments in the modernization of American defense mechanisms. Time and again Westover has proven it’s worth and value in terms of our national defense system,” said Congressman Richard Neal.

The project was designed and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers out of Louisville, KY. It was constructed by P & S Construction of North Chelmsford, Mass.