Hilltop Times – Hill Air Force Base Weekly Newspaper Since 1948

The 388th Fighter Wing and 419th Fighter Wings will hold a combined Thanksgiving celebration in Hangar 37 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with kids entertainment.

This year 338 Team Hill members earned their associates of applied science degree through Community College of the Air Force, the world's largest community college. This large number of graduates breaks the 2010 record here of 268.

“Okay, Andrea, are you ready?” asked Col. Rick LeBlanc, vice commander of the 388th Fighter Wing, just after the bubble canopy locked into place and we took to the runway.

Was I ready? I sure felt ready. I'll admit, I grew up repeatedly watching Top Gun, formerly worked for the Navy and now for an Air Force fighter wing, and I spent the last couple weeks physically and mentally preparing for the flight.

About 80 military spouses showed up for the 388th Fighter Wing spouses call last Thursday. Two briefings, at 9 a.m. and at 5 p.m., reviewed resources available for spouses of Airmen and introduced the wing's Key Spouses to the group.

Holly Cope, the wing's lead Key Spouse, organized the event and was also the first speaker. She gave a presentation on what resources are available to spouses, including who the Key Spouses are assigned to each flight, and their duties. In addition, Cope went over services that were available to them and their families.

Being visible and involved in the needs of enlisted Airmen are just some of the key roles Chief Master Sgt. Mark Batzer says are his job as the command chief of the 388th Fighter Wing.

For the past two months, the chief has been busy getting to know his Airmen, working hard on improving Total Force Integration and already participating in several base activities, including Hill's annual Round-Up Fundraiser where he was the "sheriff."

To some, the 15th annual United States Air Force Marathon is similar to other running events with a variety of weekend events including a 5K, individual and team 10K, half-marathon and wheelchair marathon.

But to members of the 388th Fighter Wing, the marathon held Sept. 17 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, commemorated a personal best in their Air Force career.

Continuing a 25-year tradition, Hill F-16 pilots will soar over community parades across the Wasatch Front this Fourth of July weekend.

The holiday flyovers will kick off at 8 p.m. July 2, when four F-16s from the 388th Fighter Wing wow crowds at the Stadium of Fire celebration in Provo.

The pilots recently returned from deployment to Afghanistan and include Capt. Matt Crabb, Capt. Thomas Werner, Capt. Jevon Yeretzian and Capt. Matthew Bittner.

The 388th Fighter Wing commander Col. Scott Long talked to members of the Utah Defense Alliance early Wednesday morning at the Weber Basin Conservatory Headquarters.

Long discussed the progress of both the 388th and the 419th Fighter Wings' improvements with the Total Force Integration program. TFI harmonizes reserve and active duty forces in Air Force and military wide needs. He also highlighted the wing's most recent deployment to Afghanistan and the Combat Hammer weapon evaluation results.

Luke Traughber found out firsthand last week what it's like to be an F-16 fighter pilot. But more important, he got a respite from a disease that has been his life for more than a year.

The 11-year-old was one of nine Utah children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation who were treated to an interactive tour of the 388th Fighter Wing on June 9 as part of Hill Air Force Base's "Pilot for a Day" program.

Traughber was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the muscles that are attached to the bones, more than a year ago.

Just over a month ago, the 388th Fighter Wing underwent a change of command as Col. Scott Long assumed command from Col. Scott Zobrist.

As a command pilot, Long has put in more than 2,800 flying hours and held various leadership positions including the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group commander at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Long took a few moments to answer some questions about himself, what his initial impression is of the wing, and what he expects of his time at Hill.