F-16 Jets

HILL AIR FORCE BASE -- The nature of flight has changed in the more than six decades since Ben Fowler flew in history's biggest conflict, but he still could probably teach the pilots of today a thing or two.

On Friday, Fowler, a 91-year-old Riverdale resident and former World War II pilot, was given a tour at Hill Air Force Base that included an up-close-and-personal visit with some 388th Fighter Wing pilots, one of the base's F-16s and its munitions in an aircraft hangar along the flightline.

HILL AIR FORCE BASE -- Luke Traughber found out firsthand Thursday what it's like to be an F-16 fighter pilot. But more important, he got a respite from a disease that has been his life for more than a year. The 11-year-old was one of nine Utah children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation who were treated to an interactive tour of the 388th Fighter Wing as part of Hill Air Force Base's "Pilot for a Day" program.

HILL AIR FORCE BASE ¬­-- When Lt. Col. Chris Bailey stepped off his F-16 and saw his family for the first time in nearly seven months, he immediately noticed how much his 5-year-old daughter, Erin, had changed.

"She definitely looks older," Bailey said. "Her mother doesn't, though."

Bailey's wife, Monica, replied with a short, "Good answer," and with that, the Uintah family of five settled in for two solid weeks of quality time together.

HILL AIR FORCE BASE — One of the world’s most aggressive F-16 fighter wings said goodbye to one leader and welcomed another Thursday morning.

In a change of command ceremony at Hill Air Force Base, Col. Scott Zobrist relinquished command of the 388th Fighter Wing and passed leadership over to Col. Scott Long.

HILL AIR FORCE BASE -- A pair of Hill Air Force Base F-16s acted as temporary wingmen to President Barack Obama and Air Force One last week.

HILL AIR FORCE BASE -- It appears the deactivation of a fighter squadron and 24 F-16s at Hill Air Force Base will happen before the summer ends.