HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah, April 29, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Local night flying operations of the active duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings will continue through much of May, Hill Air Force Base announced Monday.
The flights are necessary to fulfill continued training requirements, the statement says.
Night flying is scheduled to be completed by 11 most nights. Exact days and times may vary based on factors including weather, airspace availability on the Utah Test and Training Range, and other support elements, the news release says.
“Hill’s fighter wings must train at night for pilots and maintainers to retain and hone their 24/7 combat readiness and flying capabilities. Night flying is limited to what is required for the wings to remain proficient in those skills for deployments.
“The F-35A is the nation’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft with capabilities vital to deter potential adversaries.”
All three of the wing’s fighter squadrons have deployed in support of combat operations and remain ready when called upon.
Hill AFB is home to 78 F-35A Lightning IIs. The 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings are the Air Force’s first combat-capable F-35A units, and fly and maintain the jet in a Total Force partnership, which capitalizes on the strength of both components.
