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Hill Air Force Base
Hill Air Force Base
Hill Air Force Base
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Hill Air Force Base (IATA: HIF, ICAO: KHIF, FAA LID: HIF) is a major U.S. Air Force (USAF) base located in Davis County, Utah, just south of the city of Ogden, and bordering the Cities of Layton, Clearfield, Riverdale, Roy, and Sunset with its largest border immediately adjacent to Clearfield and Layton. It is about 30 miles (48 km) north of Salt Lake City. The base was named in honor of Major Ployer Peter Hill of the U.S. Army Air Corps, who died in 1935 test-flying NX13372, the original Model 299 prototype of the B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. As of 2018, Hill AFB is the sixth-largest employer in the state of Utah.[3] Hill AFB is the home of the Air Force Materiel Command's (AFMC) Ogden Air Logistics Complex (OO-ALC) which is the worldwide manager for a wide range of aircraft, engines, missiles, software, avionics, and accessories components. The OO-ALC is part of the Air Force Sustainment Center.[4]

Key Information

The host unit at Hill AFB is the AFMC's 75th Air Base Wing (75 ABW), which provides services and support for the OO-ALC and its subordinate organizations. Additional tenant units at Hill AFB include operational fighter wings of Air Combat Command (ACC) and Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC).[5]

History

[edit]

Hill Air Force Base is named in honor of Major Ployer Peter Hill (1894–1935), the Chief of the Flying Branch of the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) Material Division of Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio. Major Hill had died as a result of injuries he received from the crash of the Boeing Aircraft Company's experimental aircraft Boeing Model 299 at Wright Field, the prototype airplane for what became the famous B-17 Flying Fortress.

Hill Air Force Base traces its origins back to the ill-fated U.S. Army's Air Mail "experiment" of 1934 when the idea originated for a permanent air depot in the Salt Lake City area. In the following years, the USAAC surveyed the region for a suitable location for the permanent western terminus of the air mail. Several sites in Utah were considered, and the present site near Ogden emerged as the clear favorite.[6]

In July 1939, Congress appropriated $8.0 million for the establishment and construction of the Ogden Air Depot. Hill Field officially opened on 7 November 1940.

Following American entry into World War II in December 1941, Hill Field quickly became an important maintenance and supply base, with round-the-clock operations geared to supporting the war effort. Battle-worn warplanes like the A-26, B-17, B-24, B-29, P-40, P-47, P-61, were sent to Hill Field for structural repairs, engine overhauls, and spare parts. The peak wartime employment at Hill Field was reached in 1943 with just over 22,000 military and civilian personnel. Men and women at the depot rehabilitated and returned thousands of warplanes to combat.

Starting in 1944, Hill Field was utilized for the long-term storage of surplus airplanes and their support equipment, including outmoded P-40 Tomahawks and P-40 Warhawks which had been removed from combat service and replaced by newer and better warplanes. P-47 Thunderbolts, B-24 Liberators, B-29 Superfortresses, and many other types of aircraft were also prepared for and placed in storage at Hill throughout the 1940s and 1950s.

Hill Field became Hill Air Force Base on 5 February 1948, following the creation of the United States Air Force. During the Korean War, Hill AFB was assigned a major share of the Air Materiel Command's logistical effort to support the combat in Korea. Hill AFB personnel quickly removed needed warplanes from storage, renovated them, and added them to active-service USAF flying squadrons.

Hangar at Hill Air Force Base.

Then during the 1960s, Hill AFB began to perform maintenance support for various kinds of jet warplanes, mainly the F-4 Phantom II during the Vietnam War, and then afterward, the more modern F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt II and C-130 Hercules, and also air combat missile systems and air-to-ground rockets. Hill AFB continues to carry out these tasks to the present day.

Renovation of Hangar 225, a historic barrel-vaulted hangar, began in late 2018.[7]

Major commands assigned

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Base operating units

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  • Ogden Air Depot, 7 November 1940 – 8 April 1942
  • 9th Station Complement, 8 April 1942 – 2 January 1943
  • 482d Base HQ and Air Base Sq, 2 January 1943 – 1 April 1944
  • 4135th AAF Base Unit, 1 April 1944 – 26 September 1947
  • 4135th AF Base Unit, 26 September 1947 – 27 August 1948
  • HQ and HQ Sq, Ogden AMA, 27 August 1948 – 4 May 1950
  • 25th Air Base Gp, 4 May 1950 – 1 May 1953
  • 2849th Air Base Wg, 1 May 1953 – 8 July 1964
  • 2849th Air Base Gp, 8 July 1964 – 1994
  • 75th Air Base Wing 1994 – present

Role and operations

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Ogden Air Logistics Complex

[edit]

The Ogden Air Logistics Complex provides worldwide engineering and logistics management for the F-35 Lightning II, F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt II, and Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile.

75th Air Base Wing

[edit]

The 75th Air Base Wing is responsible for the base operating support of all units at Hill AFB. The 75th ABW provides base operating support for the Ogden Air Logistics Complex, the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings, and 50+ mission partner units.

Hill Aerospace Museum

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A retired USAF H-21C Shawnee tandem-rotor helicopter at the Hill Aerospace Museum.

Hill AFB has also housed the 30-acre (120,000 m2) Hill Aerospace Museum since 1981. This contains more than 80 retired USAF, U.S. Army Air Forces, U.S. Navy and former Warsaw Pact fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and missiles.

Utah Test and Training Range

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The Utah Test and Training Range is one of the only live-fire U.S. Air Force training ranges within the United States. It is located in far western Utah, close to the Nevada border, and it extends both north and south of Interstate Highway 80, with several miles of separation on each side of the Interstate Highway. The portion of the bombing range that lies north of Interstate 80 is also west of the Great Salt Lake. The Utah Test and Training Range lies in Tooele County, and the land is owned by the state of Utah, but the use of the airspace and training exercises are scheduled by Hill AFB.

On September 8, 2004, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Genesis space probe crash-landed on the nearby U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground, as planned.

Based units

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Flying and notable non-flying units based at Hill Air Force Base.[8][9][10][11][12]

Units marked GSU are Geographically Separate Units, which although based at Hill, are subordinate to a parent unit based at another location.

United States Air Force

[edit]

Connections to the Hi-Fi murders

[edit]

Three enlisted United States Air Force airmen stationed at Hill AFB – Pierre Dale Selby, William Andrews and Keith Roberts – were convicted in connection with the Hi-Fi murders, which took place at the Hi-Fi Shop in Ogden, Utah, on April 22, 1974. Selby and Andrews were both sentenced to death for murder and aggravated robbery while Roberts, who had remained in a getaway vehicle, was convicted of robbery.[13] Evidence gathered from a trashbin on base and from the perpetrators' barracks was instrumental in their convictions.[14]

One of the survivors of the attack, Cortney Naisbitt, later trained in computers and worked at Hill Air Force Base.[15]

Accidents and incidents

[edit]
  • August 24, 1970 Universal Airlines Lockheed L-188C Electra N855U departed Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah on an Air Force Logair flight to Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. The aircraft departed without all its hydraulic systems in operation, leaving insufficient elevator authority, resulting in the aircraft nosing over into the ground. The aircraft was destroyed but the crew escaped with injuries. The investigation found fault with the captain and flight engineer for not following approved procedures and directives.[16][17]
  • March 19, 1972 Universal Airlines Lockheed L-188C Electra N851U was on a ferry flight from Tucson, Arizona to Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah when it developed an engine overspeed issue, complicated by an inability to feather. The aircraft landed at Hill just after midnight, whereupon the engine exploded, destroying a large portion of the left wing and causing a substantial fire. The crew had minor injuries but the aircraft was a writeoff. The crew was cited in the investigation for improper procedures.[18][19]
  • November 18, 1979: Transamerica Airlines Lockheed L-188C Electra N859U operating Logair flight 3N18 for the US Air Force departed Hill Air Force Base en-route to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. While climbing between 12,000 and 13,000 ft, all electrical power was lost; the crew requested an immediate descent. The aircraft attained high airspeed and high rate of descent and disintegrated in flight, killing all three crew members. Probable cause was progressive failure of the electrical system leading to disabling or erratic performance of critical instruments and lighting in night-time instrument conditions. The crew became disoriented and lost control.[20] The aircraft was inherited from Universal Airlines via Saturn Airways and was the third current or former Universal Airlines Electra to have an accident at Hill AFB.
  • May 9, 1981: During an Air Show to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the base, Thunderbird Captain Nick Hauck, and 2 livestock were killed when Hauck's T-38 Talon lost power on approach to the runway. The plane cartwheeled several times before exploding. Hauck was killed on impact, while the livestock were killed by debris.[21]
  • June 20, 1998: An F-16C Falcon crashed after taking off from the runway during a routine test flight. The F-16 from the 514th Test Squadron was destroyed, pilot ejected with minor injuries.[22]
  • October 19, 2022: A Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II crashed off the end of runway 14. The 388th Fighter Wing has stated that the solo pilot was seen by a local hospital and released with no injuries.[23]

See also

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Hill Air Force Base

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from Grokipedia
Hill Air Force Base is a major installation located in Davis County, northern , approximately 30 miles north of and adjacent to the city of Ogden. One of the largest bases by population, it spans nearly 7,000 acres and supports over 27,000 , , and contractor personnel. The base serves as the headquarters for the Ogden Air Logistics Complex and hosts the 75th Air Base Wing, which provides base support and enables readiness for a wide array of missions, including , , and testing. Established in 1940 as Hill Field during the lead-up to , the base originated from a 1934 Army Air Mail experiment and was named in honor of Major Ployer Peter Hill, a pioneer Army Air Corps officer killed in a 1935 crash. Groundbreaking occurred on January 12, 1940, with operations commencing later that year under the command of Colonel Morris Berman; it was redesignated Hill Air Force Base in 1948. During , it became a critical maintenance and supply depot, peaking at 22,000 employees in 1943 and servicing aircraft such as the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-29 Superfortress, and P-47 Thunderbolt. Postwar, it played key roles in the , the era with support for jet fighters like the F-84 Thunderjet and missiles including the Titan II and Minuteman III, and more recent operations such as Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990–1991. Today, Hill Air Force Base is Utah's largest single-site employer, with an annual government payroll of $2.12 billion (as of 2024) and infrastructure valued at over $6.5 billion across more than 1,300 facilities. It oversees the expansive , covering 1.1 million acres for testing and training activities, as well as the Little Mountain Test Facility. Key tenant units include the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings, which operate the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter, and the Ogden Air Logistics Complex, responsible for depot-level maintenance and modification of aircraft such as the F-35, F-22 Raptor, F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt II, C-130 Hercules, and T-38 Talon, in addition to the Minuteman III . The 75th Air Base Wing's subordinate organizations, including the 75th Civil Engineer Group, 75th Mission Support Group, 75th Medical Group, and 75th Communications and Information Directorate, ensure comprehensive support for these missions and serve over 78,000 beneficiaries in the region.

History

Establishment and Early Operations

In July 1939, the U.S. Congress appropriated $8 million to establish the Ogden Air Depot as a War Department flying field in Davis County, Utah, serving as the permanent western terminus for Air Corps maintenance and supply operations. Construction began in late 1939, with official groundbreaking ceremonies held on January 12, 1940, focusing on essential facilities to support aircraft depot functions. In December 1939, the War Department named the site Hill Field in honor of Major Ployer Peter Hill, a pioneering U.S. Air test pilot who died on October 30, 1935, during a test flight of the Model 299 at Wright Field, ; the crash, caused by unremoved gust locks, underscored the need for standardized pre-flight checklists in aviation. The field was formally activated on November 7, 1940, when Lieutenant Colonel Morris Berman arrived as the first commanding officer, initiating operations under the Ogden Air Depot for aircraft maintenance training and supply. Early infrastructure development prioritized operational readiness, with two runways completed in the fall of 1940 and two additional 7,500-foot runways finished by September 1941 to accommodate flying activities. The Operations (Building 210) and initial warehouses for repair parts storage were constructed by December 1940, while housing for the initial personnel, including semi-permanent quarters, was developed to support the growing depot workforce. These facilities enabled the base to transition toward expanded wartime roles as loomed.

World War II and Post-War Expansion

During , Hill Field experienced a dramatic surge in operations as the ramped up its , transforming the base into a critical hub for and supply. Initially focused on basic depot functions, the facility quickly expanded to overhaul and repair battle-damaged aircraft, including B-17 Flying Fortresses, B-24 Liberators, B-29 Superfortresses, P-40 Warhawks, P-47 Thunderbolts, and P-61 Black Widows, among others. Thousands of these aircraft were rehabilitated and returned to combat readiness, supporting the Allied air campaigns across multiple theaters. By 1943, employment at the base peaked at over 22,000 personnel, comprising both military and civilian workers who managed the intense workload of structural repairs, engine overhauls, and supply distribution. The base's role extended beyond repairs to include assembly lines, such as the one for B-24 bombers established in , and the preservation of surplus equipment to ensure logistical readiness. This expansion was vital for sustaining the U.S. Army Air Forces' operational tempo, with Hill Field contributing significantly to the overall sustainment effort that underpinned victories in and the Pacific. By 1945, the depot's infrastructure had grown substantially to accommodate the influx, employing specialized teams for everything from propeller maintenance to armament modifications. Following the war's end in 1945, Hill Field underwent a significant drawdown as needs shifted from wartime production to peacetime operations, with personnel numbers declining sharply from their peak. The base transitioned to long-term storage and maintenance of surplus aircraft, including B-29 Superfortresses and other bombers, preserving assets valued at over $200 million by the end of 1947 for potential future use. This period marked a reorganization, with the facility assigned to the newly formed in 1947, reflecting the broader establishment of the independent U.S. . In early preparations, Hill Field began adapting its capabilities for , laying the groundwork for jet-era maintenance while focusing on bomber sustainment. On February 5, 1948, the base was officially redesignated in honor of Major Ployer Peter Hill, acknowledging its evolution into a permanent installation dedicated to support. This redesignation coincided with the base's realignment under the Ogden Air Materiel Area, emphasizing efficient peacetime and readiness for potential conflicts amid rising global tensions.

Cold War Era and Modern Developments

During the , Hill Air Force Base played a pivotal role in supporting U.S. Air Force operations through aircraft maintenance and logistics. In the (1950-1953), the base contributed to Project Holdoff by reactivating stored B-26 Invaders and B-29 Superfortresses for combat deployment, while beginning maintenance on F-86 Sabre fighters and their J47 engines in 1953, as well as F-84 Thunderjets, to sustain frontline squadrons. As the Vietnam War escalated, Hill AFB expanded its depot-level support, initiating maintenance, repair, and overhaul of F-4 Phantom II aircraft in 1966, which continued for nearly three decades and included reconnaissance variants like the RF-4C to bolster operations. The base also facilitated airlifts of hundreds of tons of munitions using C-124 Globemasters, C-130 Hercules, C-133 Cargomasters, and C-141 Starlifters to support combat missions. Major commands oversaw Hill's growing logistics mission, with the Air Force Logistics Command managing the Ogden Air Logistics Center from 1961 to 1975, focusing on jet fighters like the F-84F Thunderstreak and F-89 Scorpion, as well as early missile systems such as the and SM-80 Minuteman. In 1992, responsibilities shifted to the , which has directed the base's sustainment activities since, integrating research, development, and global supply chain operations for platforms including the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and A-10 Thunderbolt II. Base operating units evolved to meet these demands, starting with the 2851st in the 1940s for administrative and support functions, which transitioned into the Ogden Area and later the Ogden Center to handle expanded depot workloads. By the late 20th century, this structure supported major conflicts like Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm (1990-1991) through round-the-clock maintenance shifts. In modern developments, Hill AFB has adapted to 21st-century challenges with strategic upgrades. The 2025 Air Force Sustainment Center strategic plan, released in May, outlines four lines of effort—combat readiness, workforce development, supply chain resiliency, and industrial base modernization—emphasizing the Global Enterprise Network for Universal Sustainment to boost worldwide aircraft availability and international partnerships. It prioritizes workforce initiatives like recruitment strategies, supervisor development programs, and data-driven retention tools to build a skilled force for emerging threats. Concurrently, the Falcon Hill commercial hub has transformed surplus World War II-era buildings into the Department of Defense's largest such facility, with private companies leasing 1.3 million square feet as of September 2025 to address infrastructure decay and foster defense innovation. Furthering this momentum, broke ground in April 2025 on a 30,000-square-foot , , and development facility at Hill AFB, dedicated to supporting the Sentinel program through advanced , guidance/, and testing. This expansion strengthens the base's role in nuclear sustainment and positions it as a hub for cutting-edge technologies.

Geography and Facilities

Location and Surrounding Area

Hill Air Force Base is located in northern within Davis County, approximately 7 miles south of Ogden and 30 miles north of , at coordinates 41°07′23″N 111°58′25″W. The installation spans roughly 6,700 acres along the , a densely populated corridor, and lies in close proximity to the Wasatch Mountains to the east and the to the west. The base's environmental context includes management of wildlife hazards, particularly bird strikes, through the Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) program, which involves nest removal and habitat modification to mitigate risks to aircraft operations. Additionally, as a major source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), Hill AFB implements air quality controls under Utah's Operating Permit Program to address emissions from maintenance and operational activities. As Utah's largest single-site employer, the base supports over 26,000 active-duty military, civilian, and contractor personnel as of 2024, generating an annual economic impact of $12.76 billion through payroll, expenditures, and indirect effects on local businesses. This contribution bolsters the regional economy along the , where the base's operations drive job creation and infrastructure development. Hill AFB fosters robust community relations through collaborative initiatives with surrounding municipalities, including Layton, Clearfield, Ogden, Riverdale, , and South Ogden, via the Compatible Use Plan that addresses compatibility and noise mitigation. These partnerships extend to and efforts, providing support to nearby populations through , resource donations, and joint programs that enhance in Davis and Weber counties.

Infrastructure and Key Installations

Hill Air Force Base features a primary designated 14/32, measuring 13,500 feet in length and 200 feet in width, surfaced with porous European mix (PEM) and porous friction courses to accommodate heavy aircraft operations such as the F-35 Lightning II. This underwent a major $44.6 million rehabilitation project completed in 2019, which included resurfacing and grooving to enhance safety and durability for high-volume military traffic. The base encompasses over 1,300 facilities across approximately 6,700 acres, including more than 1,400 buildings that house essential infrastructure such as aircraft hangars, maintenance warehouses, and fuel storage depots critical to its logistics mission. These structures support the storage and distribution of and other resources, with specialized hangars designed for large-scale aircraft maintenance and repair activities. A notable recent addition is the Navy Reserve Center complex, a 37,000-square-foot facility completed in 2024, which accommodates 16 full-time staff members, 14 reserve units, and up to 352 reservists, featuring flexible spaces for training and administrative functions. Ongoing expansions at the Falcon Hill Aerospace Research Park include the groundbreaking in April 2025 for a new Draper Laboratory research and development building, scheduled for completion in fall 2026, which will enhance aerospace and defense engineering capabilities on base. In July 2025, Fire Station No. 6 underwent a renovation and held a grand opening ceremony, improving firefighting and emergency response infrastructure. In sustainability initiatives, the base has implemented multiple solar array projects post-2010, including a significant 5-megawatt installation completed in 2021 in partnership with Rocky Mountain Power, marking the largest Blue Sky project in the region and contributing to reduced energy costs and carbon emissions. Complementary measures, such as low-flow fixtures and irrigation upgrades across facilities, have earned the base recognition from the Department of Energy for outstanding efficiency efforts in 2019. Security infrastructure includes a comprehensive perimeter secured by , intrusion detection systems, and controlled access points at multiple gates, integrated with advanced radar evaluation capabilities provided by the 84th Radar Evaluation Squadron for and threat monitoring.

Mission and Operations

Ogden Air Logistics Complex

The Ogden Air Logistics Complex (OO-ALC) was redesignated on July 12, 2012, from the former Ogden Air Logistics Center, aligning it with the newly formed Air Force Sustainment Center under . Headquartered at Hill Air Force Base, , the OO-ALC manages the cradle-to-grave lifecycle of key Air Force assets, including depot-level sustainment for aircraft such as the A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-35 Lightning II, and the Minuteman III (ICBM). This encompasses engineering, , and distribution to ensure operational readiness across global missions, in alignment with the Air Force Sustainment Center's 2025 strategic plan emphasizing combat readiness and workforce resilience. Core functions center on depot-level maintenance, , and operations for numerous weapon systems, including fighters, transports like the C-130 Hercules, and strategic missiles. The complex conducts repairs, overhauls, and modifications on , missiles, and components, while serving as the Air Force's primary center for pneudraulics, composites, secondary power systems, and expertise. These efforts support worldwide battle damage repairs, parts reclamation, and aircraft regeneration, prioritizing in sustainment to extend service life and enhance mission capability. As of 2021, the workforce exceeds 8,100 military, civilian, and contract personnel across 155 job series at Hill Air Force Base and 10 remote sites in the United States and , driving significant annual outputs in and sustainment. For instance, it performs structural modifications on F-16s that add thousands of flying hours per , contributing to fleet-wide reliability. Among its unique capabilities, the OO-ALC maintains ICBM propulsion systems, including rocket motor assembly and testing for the Minuteman III, bolstering nuclear deterrence through precise engineering and validation processes. These specialized functions underscore its role in high-stakes strategic sustainment. The complex operates with infrastructural support from the 75th Wing to facilitate these demands.

75th Air Base Wing

The 75th Wing serves as the host unit at Hill Air Force Base, , providing essential base support services and enabling mission operations for the installation. Activated on 1 October 1994 under , the wing was redesignated from its prior lineage to consolidate base operations following the inactivation of the 649th Air Base Group. It oversees more than 50 mission partner organizations, including the Ogden Air Logistics Complex and two fighter wings, supporting approximately 27,000 personnel across the base. The wing's core functions encompass , , readiness, and medical services, ensuring operational continuity for Hill AFB's expansive , which includes more than 1,700 facilities across 1.1 million acres, including the . These services support Air Expeditionary Forces deployments and provide healthcare to more than 78,000 beneficiaries through its medical operations. Additionally, the wing manages installation security, emergency response, personnel support, and , fostering a resilient environment for mission partners. Key sub-units include the 75th Mission Support Group, which handles , , and emergency services; the 75th Medical Group, responsible for healthcare delivery; the 75th Group, overseeing infrastructure maintenance; and the 75th Communications and Information Directorate, managing IT and cybersecurity operations. In recent years, the wing has prioritized enhanced cybersecurity measures through its communications directorate and conducted joint emergency response training exercises, such as mass casualty simulations in 2024 and hostage rescue scenarios in 2025, to bolster readiness. These initiatives align with the Sustainment Center's 2025 strategic plan, emphasizing combat readiness and workforce resilience.

Utah Test and Training Range

The Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR) spans approximately 1.7 million acres (of which about 1.1 million acres are Air Force-owned) across western Utah's remote desert terrain, making it one of the largest contiguous restricted military areas in the United States. Established in the 1940s as part of broader Department of Defense (DoD) bombing ranges, it is now a major test facility headquartered at Hill Air Force Base and managed by the Air Force's 388th Range Squadron under Air Combat Command, with coordinated use by Navy and Army components for joint operations. The range's vast airspace, covering over 12,000 square nautical miles, supports safe execution of high-risk activities away from populated areas. Primary activities at the UTTR focus on air-to-ground weapons testing, including live-fire bombing and gunnery, as well as electronic warfare simulations to replicate adversary threats. (UAV) operations are also prominent, with the range serving as a key site for drone swarm testing and integration of electronic payloads for signal detection and countermeasures. These uses enable realistic scenarios for air-to-air and ground force exercises, accommodating inert and live munitions delivery. Hill Air Force Base plays a central role in UTTR operations, providing oversight for airspace control and to prevent hazards during high-intensity activities. The base supports advanced testing, such as F-35 Lightning II weapons evaluations involving bomb drops and missile launches, as well as evaluations of strategic systems like cruise missiles and ICBM components. This integration extends to collaboration with the Ogden Air Logistics Complex for logistics and maintenance support during tests. Environmental stewardship at the UTTR emphasizes habitat preservation amid intensive use, with initiatives including wildlife guzzlers for water access and protected corridors to facilitate animal movement across the desert landscape. Restricted access zones limit public entry to minimize disturbances to sensitive ecosystems, while ongoing remediation addresses legacy hazards from past testing. These measures ensure compliance with federal land policies and support biodiversity in the arid region.

Hill Aerospace Museum

The Hill Aerospace Museum, located on the grounds of in , , opened to the public in 1987 as part of the U.S. Heritage Program, with its current 90,000-square-foot facility inaugurated in 1991 following earlier iterations in the 1940s and 1950s. Situated in the northwest corner of the base approximately five miles south of Ogden, the museum serves as a key educational and preservation hub, dedicated to promoting and safeguarding the history of the U.S. , operations, and 's legacy. Accredited by the and offering free admission, it spans multiple indoor and outdoor spaces to showcase artifacts and while fostering public engagement with heritage. The museum's collections feature over 90 , along with missiles, vehicles, and more than 4,000 historical artifacts organized into five interpretive eras: The Beginnings, , Dawn of the , and Beyond, and Modern Era. Notable aircraft on display include the Lockheed SR-71C Blackbird, renowned for its record-breaking Mach 3+ speeds and high-altitude reconnaissance capabilities, and the North American F-100A Super Sabre, the first U.S. production fighter to exceed the in level flight since its 1953 debut. exhibits highlight maintenance artifacts and aircraft such as the B-17G Flying Fortress, emphasizing the base's early logistics role, while displays include intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in a dedicated gallery opened in 2022 that explores Utah's nuclear deterrence history. Interactive elements enhance visitor immersion, such as the A-10 II virtual reality introduced in 2022, which provides a pilot's perspective using local footage, alongside hands-on s. Annually attracting around 350,000 visitors from across the and abroad, the museum plays a vital educational role through (Science, , , , and ) programs tailored for K-12 students, including field trips, guided tours for groups of 10 to 100, and statewide outreach to schools and districts. Initiatives like the Summer Program offer hands-on experiments, demonstrations, and lessons during through , while partnerships with local educators promote STEM concepts tied to innovation. In the , expansions have bolstered its focus on , including the 2024 opening of the 91,000-square-foot L.S. Skaggs Gallery and Alexander Hall, which house indoor displays of aircraft like the F-22 Raptor and U-2 Dragon Lady, alongside exhibits on F-35 Lightning II sustainment operations at the base and the historical development of the .

Based Units

Active Duty and Reserve Units

The , an active duty unit under , is stationed at Hill Air Force Base and serves as the primary operational host for the F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter. Its core mission involves maintaining to deploy, employ, and sustain F-35A in support of global airpower objectives. The wing received its first operational F-35As on September 2, 2015, marking the start of routine flying operations, and by 2019, it had achieved full warfighting capability with a fleet of 78 shared with its Reserve partner as of 2025. Hill AFB hosts the Air Force's largest concentration of operational F-35As outside training locations, enabling the wing to conduct advanced multirole missions including air superiority, ground attack, and intelligence gathering. The 419th Fighter Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command unit, operates in total force integration with the 388th, sharing personnel, facilities, and the F-35A fleet to enhance operational efficiency and readiness. Activated as the base's Reserve flying component, it became the first Reserve unit to transition to the F-35A in , aligning its capabilities with active duty counterparts for seamless joint deployments. This integration allows Reserve Airmen to contribute directly to combat missions, with the wing flying identical aircraft and participating in combined training exercises. Under the Ogden Air Logistics Complex, the 309th Maintenance Wing provides critical depot-level repairs and sustainment for a wide array of aircraft, including the F-35A, F-16, A-10, and others, ensuring fleet availability through inspections, modifications, and overhauls. Its subordinate groups, such as the 309th Group and 309th Maintenance Group, handle specialized tasks like crash recovery, upgrades, and structural repairs, supporting both Hill-based units and global operations. Hill AFB's active duty and Reserve units have a robust deployment history, particularly in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, where they flew thousands of combat sorties to enforce no-fly zones, provide , and degrade enemy targets. The deployed its F-16 squadrons multiple times from 2003 to 2010, generating over 2,000 missions during a single six-month rotation in 2015 alone, while the 419th contributed more than 400 personnel across various rotations in and . These efforts underscore the base's role in sustaining high-tempo operations, with units routinely exceeding 100 aircraft sorties per year even in non-combat phases to maintain proficiency.

Tenant and Support Organizations

Hill Air Force Base hosts a diverse array of tenant and support organizations that complement the base's core missions, including over 40 non-host entities focused on , testing, and sustainment activities. These partners operate under the oversight of the 75th Air Base Wing, enhancing operational efficiency across Air Force and joint service initiatives. Inter-service tenants play a key role in coordinating activities at the (UTTR), a major Department of Defense facility managed by Hill AFB. Navy units utilize the UTTR for open-air weapons testing and pilot training, leveraging its expansive land area of 2,624 square miles and vast covering 12,574 square nautical miles with realistic terrain for multirole exercises. Similarly, elements support range operations, with the U.S. overseeing portions of the UTTR land, including the adjacent approximately 1,300-square-mile for chemical and biological defense testing. These joint efforts enable integrated training for , , Marine Corps, and allied forces, ensuring in high-threat environments. Additionally, a dedicated Reserve Center on base provides administrative and training support for Reserve personnel, facilitating rapid mobilization and mission readiness. Contractor presence is prominent at the Falcon Hill Aerospace Research Park, a 550-acre public-private development on base property that as of 2025 provides 1.3 million square feet of leased space to numerous companies, all fully occupied. This hub drives innovation in aerospace sustainment and research, with major firms like maintaining facilities for engineering and logistics support. also operates there, contributing to F-35 Lightning II depot maintenance and upgrades as a principal partner in the program, alongside broader efforts in strategic systems like the LGM-35A Sentinel. In total, more than 50 partner organizations, encompassing military tenants, reserve detachments, and industry collaborators, contribute to base sustainment and research and development efforts, fostering a collaborative ecosystem for weapon system lifecycle management.

Notable Events and Incidents

Hi-Fi Murders Connection

The Hi-Fi murders occurred on April 22, 1974, when a robbery at the Hi-Fi Shop, an audio equipment store located at 2323 Washington Boulevard in Ogden, Utah, escalated into a brutal torture and killing spree perpetrated by two United States Air Force airmen stationed at nearby Hill Air Force Base: Staff Sergeant Dale Selby Pierre, aged 27, and Airman First Class William Andrews, aged 19. Pierre and Andrews, along with accomplice Keith Roberts, entered the store intending to steal cash and merchandise but took five people hostage—store employees Stanley Walker (20) and Michelle Ansley (18), customer Carol Naisbitt (52), and her son Byron Naisbitt (19) along with his friend Cortney Naisbitt (16)—binding them and subjecting them to extreme violence to eliminate witnesses. The assailants forced the victims to drink liquid Drano, a corrosive , in a misguided attempt to burn their and prevent identification, causing excruciating internal injuries; when this method proved insufficient, Pierre raped Ansley before shooting her, Walker, and Carol Naisbitt to death, while Andrews shot Byron and Cortney Naisbitt, leaving both alive but Byron permanently paralyzed from the waist down. The killings shocked the local community and drew immediate national media coverage due to their sadistic nature, with rumors initially circulating that the crimes stemmed from a racial incident at Hill Base, though investigators determined no such connection existed. Pierre and Andrews were arrested two days later by Ogden police in cooperation with Air Force authorities, who confirmed their stationing at the base. Pierre, Andrews, and Roberts were tried jointly in Utah's Second District Court starting in October 1974; all three were convicted on November 16, 1974, of three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated robbery, with the jury recommending the death penalty for Pierre and Andrews based on aggravating factors including the heinous methods used. Roberts received a life sentence after testifying against his accomplices. The case highlighted concerns over off-duty conduct among military personnel, prompting scrutiny of discipline within the Air Force, though specific base-level policy changes were not publicly detailed at the time. After years of appeals, Pierre was executed by lethal injection on August 26, 1987, at the Utah State Prison, and Andrews followed on July 30, 1992, marking Utah's second and fourth executions following the reinstatement of capital punishment in 1976.

Major Accidents and Safety Incidents

On November 18, 1979, Transamerica Airlines Lockheed L-188CF Electra N859U, operating as Logair Flight 3N18, crashed approximately 4 nautical miles south of shortly after departing on a flight to , . The aircraft experienced a progressive electrical system failure during climb, disabling critical instruments and lighting amid night , which led to disorientation, loss of control, and in-flight due to excessive aerodynamic loads. All three members were killed, and the determined the probable cause as the electrical malfunction combined with the challenging environmental conditions. A more recent incident occurred on , 2022, when an F-35A Lightning II (serial 15-5197) assigned to the crashed at the north end of Hill Air Force Base's runway during a training mission approach. Turbulent air caused erroneous air data inputs to the aircraft's flight control system, rendering it uncontrollable and prompting the pilot to eject safely with minor injuries; the aircraft was destroyed, resulting in an estimated $100 million loss. The Air Combat Command's accident investigation board identified a software vulnerability in the air data system as the primary cause and recommended updates to mitigate similar failures in adverse weather. During the , Hill Air Force Base, as a primary depot for maintenance and testing, was involved in operations where multiple B-47 accidents occurred nationwide, including during test flights that underscored the aircraft's high accident rate of over 200 losses and 464 fatalities across the fleet from 1949 to 1965. In the 2010s, F-16 Fighting Falcons based at Hill experienced bird strikes, contributing to the Air Force's broader tally of wildlife-related incidents that have caused more than $714 million in damages since 1995 and 27 fatalities fleet-wide, though no fatal crashes resulted directly at the base. In response to these and other events, Hill Air Force Base implemented safety enhancements under the 75th Air Base Wing, including the Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) program, which reduced bird strike incidents to record lows through habitat management, radar monitoring, and wildlife relocation efforts. Additional protocols, such as the Mid-Air Collision Avoidance (MACA) initiative, improved coordination with civilian aviation via education and deconfliction measures, while post-accident investigations like the 2022 F-35 review led to avionics software upgrades and enhanced pilot training in turbulent conditions to prevent recurrence. As of 2025, these programs have contributed to no major Class A aviation mishaps at the base related to wildlife strikes or turbulence since 2022.

References

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