Hilltop Times – Hill Air Force Base Weekly Newspaper Since 1948

When Airman 1st Class Christopher Kirchner received orders in June of 2008 to Hill Air Force Base after completing technical training at Sheppard AFB, Texas, he was unaware that his estranged biological father, Mark Albertson, was moving from Tennessee to Perry, Utah, at the same time. Kirchner's mother, however, was informed of both events independently by both of them and she knew it would be a perfect opportunity for the two to finally meet.

Department of Defense civilians who have wondered what it would be like to live the military experience for a short time can now satisfy that curiosity through a new leadership program initiated recently by the Air Force chief of staff.

The basement at the Hill Air Force Base Chapel was bustling with racing excitement Tuesday evening as children watched their handmade cars race down a sloped track.

The Hill AFB Chapel Awana club hosted its second annual Grand Prix event March 2 to encourage fun and friendly competition among its local members.

The Hill Air Force Base Rod and Gun Club held its 10th Concealed Firearms course Feb. 23 with more than 50 people in attendance and approximately 100 people on a waitlist to attend.

The popularity of the course, which is certified through the State of Utah Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Identification, could be linked to the fact that more than 32 states and certain countries accept the Utah permit to legally carry a concealed firearm, said Jerry Hunsinger, one of the certified instructors of the Concealed Firearm course.

The Hill Air Force Base Black Heritage Committee held its annual luncheon Feb. 16 at Club Hill to honor this month as Black History Month and explored the national theme of this year's tribute, "The History of Black Economic Empowerment."

This theme, selected by a joint group of federal organizations which spearhead the annual historical celebration, recognizes the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society and helped invigorate the nation and its economy.

Airman 1st Class Robby Hedrick, 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs specialist, granted his title of Utah Director for Sadiq Warrior Arts to Cris Crismon, of the Ogden Air Logistics Center Manpower division, during the inaugural Utah Filipino Martial Arts Workshop held in West Haven, Feb. 4.

The workshop was hosted by the Sadiq Warrior Arts Federation, and instructional sessions were taught by Guro Brandon Jordan, the founder of Mandala Mandiriga and director of the West Coast division of the Sadiq Warrior Arts Federation.

The students of St. JosephCatholic School in Ogden are sending love to deployed military members and Iraqi schoolchildren by shipping care packages which will be delivered to them around Valentine's Day.

Preparation of the care packages was done to honor the theme of this year's celebration of Catholic Schools Week, "Catholic Schools -- Dividends for Life." Catholic Schools Week is celebrated nationally each year to focus attention on philanthropic efforts made by the nation's Catholic schools. The week was observed this year Jan. 31-Feb.

In this Year of the Air Force Family, the Air Force has stepped up its efforts to provide resources to families who have children with special needs.

Team Hill will be featured in a television show on the Outdoor Channel sometime after the TV crew's visit here Feb. 22-26.

The 388th Fighter Wing recently launched a program to sharpen its Airmen, called Project Warrior.

"It's easy for people to completely focus on being a good specialist, or worker, and lose sight of what's truly expected," said Chief Master Sgt.