Hilltop Times – Hill Air Force Base Weekly Newspaper Since 1948

A 388th Fighter Wing pilot ejected safely from his malfunctioning F-16 fighter jet Friday morning, May 3, during a flight over western Utah's Test and Training Range.

At the time of the accident there was one person on board. The pilot successfully ejected and was evaluated by medical personnel. Emergency response teams from Hill Air Force Base responded immediately to the accident.

On April 10, 1977, the Air Force announced the 388th Fighter Wing as the first operational unit to be equipped with the new F-16 fighter jet. Twenty-five years later, the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings worked collaboratively to preserve the combat heritage of Hill AFB by putting a 388th Fighter Wing flag-ship proudly on display at the Airmen memorial park.

Four F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 388th Fighter Wing flew over a funeral in Garland, Utah, April 6 to salute a U.S. Air Force officer who died March 30.

The flyover for Lt. Col. Heber Marsh Butler, 90, followed his burial with military honors accorded by the Combined Veterans of Box Elder County at Garland Cemetery.

The sight and sound of the low-flying F-16s brought forth tears of joy to the nearly 150 funeral attendees, who said they were grateful for the most fitting tribute to an America patriot and hero of three wars.

The 388th Fighter Wing congratulates its newest major selects. They are as follows:

David Bennett, Gregory Boland, Jason Clugston, Isaac Hipple, Christopher Jensen, Steve Jensen, Brandon Lavalley, Scott Meyer, Davis Rogers and Jared White

Learning about the F-16 Fighting Falcon and just how ready the 388th Fighter Wing is to deploy anywhere, anytime was part of the experience for eight honorary commanders and their guests during an interactive tour March 23.

The day entailed highlights from the wing featuring the maintenance and operations group as well. Tour activities included F-16 flight simulators, phase dock, emergency aircraft egress, the base's air traffic control tower, an engine run in a test cell and an overview on the Utah Test and Training Range.

LAYTON -- "Never forget what we ask these men and women to do," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robin Rand, 12th Air Force commander, as he addressed a crowded room full of 388th Fighter Wing nominees and annual award winners at the wing's annual banquet Feb. 7. More than 300 assembled at the Davis Conference Center included annual award nominees, Falcons, honorary commanders, 388th and 419th Fighter Wing leadership, civilian representatives and family members.

Rand quoted Casper Weinberger in his book, "Home of the Brave," in describing military warriors:

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The roar of an F-16 Fighting Falcon taking off reverberates through the chest of those on the flight line watching as their hard work comes to fruition.

The 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit's primary mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., is to maintain the F-16s at Red Flag 12-2, a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies.

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- It's exercise-training time here again for more than two hundred 388th Fighter Wing pilots, maintainers and some 75th Air Base Wing support personnel participating in Red Flag 12-2, which began Jan. 23 and concludes Feb. 3.

Since 1975, Red Flag has been one of the world's largest and most realistic combat training exercises involving U.S. forces and its allies, including the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Republic of Korea.

The 388th Fighter Wing welcomed three civic leaders Jan. 12 as honorary commanders in a change of command ceremony at Club Hill.

Through the honorary commanders program, civic and corporate leaders gain insight into base operations, by working and socializing with Air Force and civilian personnel. As a result, the program binds community relations between Hill Air Force Base and the surrounding communities.

Col. Scott Long took command of the 388th Fighter Wing in April. At the ceremony in which he received command, Long highlighted the fighter wing's complex mission results in a high operations tempo with the most aggressive flying hour program in the Air Force.

"This nation counts on the 388th Fighter Wing's men and women to rise above the fray and devise unique solutions to solve wicked problems -- that's what distinguishes us as Airmen -- we have a higher calling to serve our nation to keep it free," said Long.