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Hill fighter wings night-flying this week

By Micah Garbarino, 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published May 12, 2020

Maintainers and pilots with the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings prepare for launch at Hill Air Force Base, Utah on Nov. 13, 2019. The 34th Fighter Squadron departed Hill for Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, to support the United States Air Force Central Command mission in the MIddle East. The group of deploying Airmen was made up of pilots from the active duty 34th Fighter Squadron and Reserve 466th Fighter Squadron, as well as active duty and Reserve Airmen in the 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, and personnel in other support functions. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)
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Maintainers and pilots with the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings prepare for launch at Hill Air Force Base, Utah on Nov. 13, 2019. The 34th Fighter Squadron departed Hill for Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, to support the United States Air Force Central Command mission in the MIddle East. The group of deploying Airmen was made up of pilots from the active duty 34th Fighter Squadron and Reserve 466th Fighter Squadron, as well as active duty and Reserve Airmen in the 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, and personnel in other support functions. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)

An F-35A pilot with the 388th Fighter Wing dons his helmet prior to launch at Hill Air Force Base, Utah on Nov. 13, 2019. The 34th Fighter Squadron departed Hill for Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, to support the United States Air Force Central Command mission in the MIddle East. The group of deploying Airmen was made up of pilots from the active duty 34th Fighter Squadron and Reserve 466th Fighter Squadron, as well as active duty and Reserve Airmen in the 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, and personnel in other support functions. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)
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An F-35A pilot with the 388th Fighter Wing dons his helmet prior to launch at Hill Air Force Base, Utah on Nov. 13, 2019. The 34th Fighter Squadron departed Hill for Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, to support the United States Air Force Central Command mission in the MIddle East. The group of deploying Airmen was made up of pilots from the active duty 34th Fighter Squadron and Reserve 466th Fighter Squadron, as well as active duty and Reserve Airmen in the 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, and personnel in other support functions. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)

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HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- The active duty 388th and reserve 419th Fighter Wings will conduct local night-flying operations through May 14.

Local residents will notice increased activity during the evening hours as pilots continue to sharpen their night-time combat flying skills.

Night operations are limited to what is required for Airmen to remain proficient. During this period, most flying is scheduled to be completed by 11 p.m., but may change based on a number of factors including weather, airspace availability and other support elements.

The wings are required to train at night to maintain their combat readiness and all-weather capabilities. Increased flying also provides a valuable opportunity to evaluate aircraft maintenance and operational agility.

The 34th Fighter Squadron, one of the wing's three squadrons is currently deployed to the Middle East. The other two are continuing to fly here, ensuring they are ready to deploy when needed.

Hill AFB is home to 78 F-35A Lightning IIs. The 388th and Reserve 419th 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.