Hilltop Times – Hill Air Force Base Weekly Newspaper Since 1948

Chief Master Sgt. Max Grindstaff took over the 75th Air Base Wing and Ogden Air Logistics Center command chief master sergeant position June 27.

The chief's Air Force career has spanned more than 24 years and throughout most of that time Grindstaff served in Security Forces and Communicationsââ-ââComputer Operations, deploying four times in those career fields. He has been a command chief now for four years and deployed once in that position. Hill Air Force Base is his third assignment as a command chief.

Chaplain (Capt.) Ryan Williams always heard his grandfather talk about serving in World War II as he grew up. He even heard about his exploits dropping candy to Berlin children, and that he was well-known as the Candy Bomber.

Still, it didn't really sink in that "Grandpa" had done anything so extraordinary until Williams visited Germany with members of his family for a 60-year celebration of the Berlin Air Lift and Vice President Joe Biden called during the Airlift Conference on loudspeaker to see if Gail Halvorsen was there.

It was just a couple months ago that Col. Sarah Zabel assumed command from of the 75th Air Base Wing from Col. Patrick Higby.

As her first position as a wing commander, Zabel took a few moments to answer some questions about herself, what her initial impression is of the wing and Hill Air Force Base and what she expects during her time at Hill.

Q: What do you think of the 75th Air Base Wing and how does it compare to other places you have served?

The 75th Air Base Wing is hosting Retiree Appreciation Day at Club Hill on Aug. 26. Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) James Lokovic of the Air Force Sergeant's Association, will speak.

The purpose of the event is to show appreciation for the surrounding area's military retirees.

For a 60-day trial period, the 75th Air Base Wing will be closing the South West Gate and opening the East Gate beginning on July 15. Please allow additional travel time as these changes will affect your driving pattern.

Changes that will be implemented include:

The 75th Air Base Wing change of command will be held June 30, 10 a.m., in Hangar 37. The base will provide a shuttle service to the ceremony. Busses will begin routes at Building 430, on the west side of building 593 (the 419th parking lot) and at the softball parking lot east of the Hess Fitness Center 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and will provide transportation to these areas afterward.

For a 60-day trial period, the 75th Air Base Wing will be closing the South West Gate and opening the East Gate beginning on July 15. Please allow additional travel time as these changes will affect your driving pattern.

Changes that will be implemented include:

The 75th Air Base Wing change of command will be held on June 30 in Hangar 37. The base will provide a shuttle service to the ceremony. Busses will begin routes at Building 430, on the west side of building 593 (the 419th parking lot) and at the softball parking lot east of the Hess Fitness Center from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and will provide transportation back to these areas at the conclusion of the ceremony.

One of Hill Air Force Base's top military leaders will be shipping out at the end of this month.

Col. Patrick Higby, commander of the base's 75th Air Base Wing, will be headed to Washington, D.C., on June 30 for a new position with the White House Communications Agency.

In his duties as commander, Higby essentially serves as the mayor of the base.

The wing provides installation support for the Ogden Air Logistics Center, both the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings, and 48 other associate units, totaling 24,000 active-duty, civilian and contractor personnel.

As more Air Force Reservists team up with their active duty counterparts, Hill's consolidated command post has become a model for how joint operations not only succeed, but excel.

Working together since 2007, 419th Fighter Wing and 75th Air Base Wing command post personnel, or controllers, have created an environment that recognizes strengths on both sides.

"The active duty brings in a lot of personnel, and the Reserve brings a lot of experience and continuity," said Tech. Sgt. Shane Leavitt, 419th NCOIC of command post operations.