An Airman from the 388th Fighter Wing’s 421st Aircraft Maintenance unit marshals an F-35A Lightning II during night flying operations at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, March 26, 2019. Night flying is required for pilots to sharpen their combat skills and maintainers work around the clock to prepare jets for flight, inspect them after flight, and get them ready for the next flying day. The 388th Fighter Wing is the Air Force’s first combat-coded F-35A wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — Hill Air Force Base announced that both the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings housed at the base will be conducting local night flying operations until Saturday, April 18th.
Hill says that those living near the base can expect to hear some increased activity in the skies as pilots continue to practice their night time combat flying skills.
“The wings are required to train at night to maintain their combat readiness and all-weather capabilities. Increased flying also provides a valuable opportunity to evaluate aircraft maintenance and operational agility,” the base said in a press release.
Currently, the 34th Fighter Squadron, one of the three squadrons in the 388th Fighter Wing is currently deployed in the Middle East. The base says the other two squadrons are continuing to fly here ensuring they are ready to be deployed when needed.
Most of the scheduled flying is expected to be completed nightly by 10 p.m.