WELCOME

Westover Air Reserve Base, also known as the Northeast Air Station, was established as an Army Air Corps Base under the provisions set-forth by the Wilcox Act of 1935.  Constructed in 1940, the base became a bomber and fighter crew training base, throughout World War II.  During the post-war years, the base became a major logistics and embarkation point for worn-torn Europe.  The largest, and perhaps the most remembered change to the base occurred in 1955, when the Strategic Air Command took control of the installation, and the 4050th Air Refueling Wing was established, as well as the movement of Headquarters Eighth Air Force from Carswell AFB.  The 99th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing from Fairchild AFB,  moved to Westover in September 1956 and was redesignated as the 99th Bombardment Wing (Heavy Jet).  Shortly after the move, the 99th Bomb Wing started to receive its new inventory of aircraft; the B-52 Stratofortress.

During the Vietnam War, aircraft and crew from the base pulled tours of duty at U-Tapao Air Base in Thailand, Clark Air Base in the Philippines, Andersen Air Base in Guam, as well as Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Japan.  Operations known as ARC Light, Bullet Shot, Rolling Thunder and Linebacker I & II were among some of the aerial operations that the 99th Bomb Wing and 99th Air Refueling Squadron, participated in.

In May 1974, Westover was deactivated as a Strategic Air Command base and became an Air Force Reserve Base.  The 439th Tactical Airlift Wing took over base operations with the C-130 Hercules and C-123 Provider as its primary aircraft, and in October 1987 these aircraft were replaced by the C-5 Galaxy.

Today, Westover's aircraft and crews are constantly deployed around the globe.  Whether it is in logistical support of the War in Iraq and Afghanistan, or to bring relief and humanitarian aid to countries and regions devastated by nature's fury.  The men and women currently serving at Westover, continue to add to the rich heritage and lineage of this great military installation.

 

THIS WEBSITE IS NOT AFFILLIATED WITH WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, THE DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE, OR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.  THIS IS A PERSONAL WEBSITE TO SUMMARIZE THE HISTORY OF WESTOVER AIR FORCE BASE.  ALL WRITTEN WORKS ARE BASED ON MY RESEARCH FOR AN UP-COMING BOOK OF THE SAME NAME.  PHOTOGRAPHS ON THIS WEBSITE ARE USED WITH PERMISSION BY VARIOUS SOURCES.  COPYING OF ANY MATERIAL ON THIS WEBSITE IS FORBIDDEN AND IS AN INFRINGEMENT ON MY LITERARY WORKS.  WESTOVER: YESTERDAY & TODAY / COPYRIGHT Ó 1996  / ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.