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Overnight flying expected from Hill AFB this week

By 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published October 18, 2020

An Airman directs an F-35A Lightning II pilot to stop for a hot pit refuel with the aid of marshalling wands
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An Airman directs an F-35A Lightning II pilot to stop for a hot pit refuel with the aid of marshalling wands Sept. 14, 2020, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The Airmen from the 419th Fighter Wing and 388th Fighter Wing practiced hot pit refueling during a base-wide, Total Force exercise. Exercises such as night flying operations are crucial to prepare the Airmen for real-world situations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Phil Cowen)

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HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – Communities surrounding Hill Air Force Base will hear increased activity during night-time hours next week as a number of aircraft will depart after midnight and return in the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday, Oct. 20 and Friday Oct. 23.

The departure and return times are necessary for the aircraft to make round-trip flights in support of an off-station military exercise. Night operations are limited to what is required for pilots to maintain their combat readiness and support essential missions.

The 421st Fighter Squadron, one of three squadrons in the wing, is currently deployed to the Middle East. The other two squadrons continue to fly and train at Hill, and remain 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.