Hill AFB ‘mission essential’ announcement will not impact 388th Fighter Wing flying operations

  • Published
  • By Micah Garbarino
  • 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – At midnight tonight, Hill AFB will direct “mission essential reporting” for all personnel.  

This will not impact current flying operations in the 388th Fighter Wing.

“All Airmen in the 388th Fighter Wing – active duty, civilians and contractors – are considered mission essential when supporting flying operations,” said Col. Steven Behmer, 388th Fighter Wing commander. “We will continue to operate on the staggered flying schedule and in teams. And we will continue to allow telework to the maximum extent possible. We're ready to defend our nation and to support our communities when called upon.”

The wing has been conducting operations with some form of mission-essential manning for the past two weeks. The 421st Fighter Squadron and 4th Fighter Squadron and aircraft maintenance units are being rotated on a weekly basis.

When not flying, Airmen have been directed to stay at home to the maximum extent possible - only going out for essentials: grocery shopping, medical appointments, physical-fitness activities (with social distancing).

Here are a few clarifications from Hill Air Force Base on what this announcement means for the installation:

  • Implementing mission essential does not currently affect hours of operation at the Youth Center nor the Child Development Centers.   All three will remain open for mission essential personnel only.
  • Commissary, Shoppettes, Base Exchange, Pharmacy, and Medical Group remain open.
  • Entry to the installation will follow existing base access procedures.  No extra credentials are required at this time.
  • Personnel not considered mission essential will not visit work centers without contacting their supervisor or unit leadership.
  • For contractors and contractor employees:  Unless notified by the contracting officer, contractors should continue performing on their contracts.  Contractor management is responsible for ensuring their employees are able to commute to their work sites wherever located.

While no extra credentials may be required at Hill AFB gates, 388 FW personnel are still required to print and carry the two “Mission Essential Authorization Letters” distributed via email last week. Airmen who did not receive this guidance should contact their supervisors.

If Airmen or family members have a fever, cough or shortness-of-breath, or are in a high-risk category for COVID-19 as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stay home and contact their primary care provider and their immediate supervisor. For COVID-19 health-related questions, please contact the 75th Medical Group Public Health Hotline at 801-777-7934. 

For the latest information on COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus, and the Department of Defense Coronavirus website at www.defense.gov/explore/spotlight/coronavirus.  Local information and guidance is available at www.hill.af.mil/coronavirus.