Hilltop Times – Hill Air Force Base Weekly Newspaper Since 1948

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation declaring May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day. The practice has evolved since then and President Barack Obama declared a week in May as National Police Week in accordance with this longstanding tradition. The national theme“In Memory of Many, in Honor of All” is being used throughout the country as state, local, tribal and military organizations coordinate local activities. 

The Hill Air Force Base Drug Take-Back event held April 28 took a total of 168 pounds of expired or unneeded medication out of circulation, said Staff Sgt. Iesha Edwards, 75th Medical Support Squadron. "Of that total, 18 pounds were controlled narcotics."

As a result, those controlled narcotics -- prescription medications -- are no longer a potential hazard for young children and unauthorized or accidental use.

You've heard it before: First thing you do when you get your orders is to see the Traffic Management Office (TMO). Your tickets, when you give notice to your landlord and several other things hang on getting your TMO funding in place.

On April 24, the Airman Leadership School (ALS) Class 2012-D took rakes and trowels in hand to spruce up the area around the ALS building as they raked the grounds, planted flowers and trimmed shrubs.

"This last weekend was Earth Day so we decided to do a little beautification around the building to help start off spring," said Senior Airman Philip Giovanniello as he assisted with the clean-up.

"We were going to do it the week before Earth Day and then we got the thunderstorm," he said. "It worked out that we got beautiful weather this week."

About a year ago a package arrived from Afghanistan to the family of Chief Master Sgt. Richard "Dick" Etchberger containing commemorative Air Force coins and a flag that had flown over a base in Afghanistan. The base, a radar site in the middle of nowhere, was named after Etchberger, who had died from enemy action that occurred near North Vietnam at a similar radar site.

On May 1, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Hill celebrated the surpassing of its BRAC goal of returning more than 500,000 square feet of covered storage space to the Air Force.

A ceremony was held to recognize the achivement of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure goals including completely vacating Buildings 830 and 840.

On March 29, professional certifications conferred by the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence were presented at Hill Air Force Base. Col. Don Hickman, acting commander for the 75th Air Base Wing, presented the Security Fundamentals Professional Certifications (SFPC) which demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and principles critical to protect Defense Department assets and promote professional understanding. This is a part of the Department of Defense's Security Professional Education Development (SPeD) program.

At 10:17, April 27, 2011, nine Americans gave the ultimate sacrifice to help preserve America's freedom.

Eight U.S. Airmen and one U.S. retired Army lieutenant colonel, working as an Air Force contractor, were shot by an Afghan colonel in Kabul, Afghanistan, the greatest loss of Air Force lives in one incident since the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia on June 25, 1996.

May 1, the early morning capture and shooting of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan at 1 a.m., May 2 (Pakistan time) changed headlines and news cycle coverage.

The Unit Project Officers have until May 10 to turn in outstanding forms and contributions for the AFAF Fund Drive, said 1st Lt. Daniel Prather, Air Force Assistance Fund Installation project officer.

"To date we have raised $61,247" he said. "We are at 85.2 percent of our goal with $10,642 left to raise. Statistically, we are already doing better than last year but I hope to reach 100 percent (of our goal) by the end."

The Volunteer Excellence Award was presented April 16 to Holly Cope at the Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast at The Landing.