When plans fall through, AADD there for you
Lee Anne Hensley, Hilltop Times staff
In 2009, Hill Air Force Base reported 29 incidences of military personnel and nine incidences of civilian personnel driving while intoxicated. Although these reports are one incident, respectively, less than those reported in 2008, the 75th Security Forces Squadron believes the 38 total incidences were still unnecessary. Bad planning on the drinker's part or not following through with the... Read more


Worldwide reach for Hill's radar squadron
Lee Anne Hensley, Hilltop Times staff
The 84th Radar Evaluation Squadron is becoming a more prominent blip on a worldwide screen. More organizations are learning of the squadron's expertise and capabilities to assist with various missions outside its primary mission -- that of keeping the skies over the United States friendly and safe. From search-and-rescue mission assistance to evaluating the impact of wind turbine energy farms... Read more


Thrift Savings Plan limits stay at 2009 levels
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board has announced the 2010 elective deferral limit for regular Thrift Savings Plan contributions will remain at $16,500, unchanged from 2009. Contributions for the TSP catch-up plan also remains at the $5,500 limit set in 2009. "TSP is a long-term retirement savings plan which everyone should consider contributing to,"... Read more


Year of the Air Force Family: Hill takes care of all service retirees
John Lannefeld, Retiree Activities Office deputy director
Anyone who has retired from any branch of the military, has an office on base dedicated to assisting with any questions or concerns related to entitlements and benefits. The Hill Air Force Base Retiree Activities Office is located in the Customer Service Building, Building 430 (commonly referred to as the old BX). The primary mission is to serve as a focal point for the retiree community in its... Read more
Benjamin Foulois


Commentary: Foulois, the man who taught himself to fly
Amy Butler, Ogden Air Logistics Center History Office
In the winter of 1909 after only 54 minutes of flight training with the Wright brothers and no solo experience, Lt. Benjamin D. Foulois left Fort Myers, Md., for Fort Sam Houston, Texas, as the United States' lone pilot. He was instructed to teach himself how to keep flying; to use and take care of the United States' first airplane, designated "Signal Corps No. 1;" assess its military... Read more
A gas pump at the AAFES Shopette awaits use at Hill Air Force Base on Jan. 12. (Alex R. Lloyd/U.S. Air Force)


Commentary: Action Line: How does the Army and Air Force Exchange gas station set the price of fuel?
Action Line Question: I've noticed a difference in fuel prices on base, which are usually lower, than the gas stations to the north of the base. How does the Army and Air Force Exchange gas station set the price of fuel? Answer: Thank you for giving us an opportunity to explain how the Army and Air Force Exchange Service sets the fuel prices. AAFES does a daily survey of at least five locations... Read more


Commentary: Resolution to try on new point of view this year
Paul Ashcraft, OO-ALC/CSA and 75 ABW Wingman Advocate
Out with the old and in with the new! With a new year comes new, fun, exciting and possibly even scary things for all of us. Why not start off the new year right with a positive attitude and a willingness to be successful? Surely you'll have a much better year if you go into it excited rather than going into it kicking and screaming. Here are a few little tips and tricks to help you start off the... Read more


Old on the outside, new on the inside
Lee Anne Hensley, Hilltop Times staff
"The building is old, but the carwash itself is new and state-of-the-art," said Bobby Day, 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron Transportation supervisor. The carwash facility for government vehicles, Building 10922, was recently renovated with all new automated car washing machines and will be re-opened for use by Jan. 25. The new machines replaced "antiquated equipment" that was more than 25 years... Read more
OO-ALC Executive Director Mark Johnson presents an IDEA award to Lester Stone and Nathan Dean, 531 CMXS. (Bill Orndorff)


Hill workers get IDEA awards
Bill Orndorff, 309th Maintenance Wing
Improvements suggested by four employees of the 309th Maintenance Wing have saved the Air Force nearly $600,000 and earned them $30,000 through the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness -- IDEA -- program. Honored were Slade Knightly, Nathan Dean and Lester Stone, 309th Commodities Maintenance Group; and Brian Wade, 309th Maintenance Support Group. The men received recognition... Read more
Hill Depot Field Team member Hugh Chamberlain works on an F-16 at Shaw AFB. Shaw and the team worked on BLOS capabilities.


F-16 upgrade expands radio capabilities
Barbara Fisher, 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Until a few weeks ago, a Marine under heavy enemy fire on a remote Afghanistan hillside could not talk directly with an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot until they were in line-of-sight in order to provide air support. Often, their conversation would be relayed back and forth through other aircraft, command and control centers or get lost in transmission. Today however, F-16 pilots from Shaw Air Force... Read more