Story ID: 1041013mx
DOD Honors West Star Aviation
By: David A. Lombardo
Caption: 
Word Count: 221
West Star Aviation was recently recognized by the Department of Defense for its continued support of its National Guard and Reserve employees. The recognition comes from the MRO’s commitment to the support of troops as they are called into action and its willingness to prepare and integrate the people back into their team upon their return. Colonel Lou Brackett (Ret.), the Employer Outreach Coordinator for the State of Colorado, presented the award.

West Star supports its active and veteran military employees by holding their positions while they are away on duty, providing continued insurance benefits, and allowing vacation and sick days to continue to accrue, which are paid to the employee’s families. In addition, West Star Grand Junction sends periodic care packages to the troops and continues to involve their families in any company events while they are away.

A spokeswoman for the company told AIN this has been company policy for more than 20 years. “We just had two Grand Junction employees return; one from Afghanistan and the other from Africa,” she said.

The facility currently employs two active Army Reservists, as well as 64 veterans with more than 360 years of combined honorable service. In addition, West Star employs 54 veterans with more than 340 years of combined service at its East Alton location.