Weekday night flights at Hill AFB to continue through May
Photo supplied, U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Nicolas Myers
Due to heavy winter storms, weekday night flights are set to continue from Hill Air Force Base through May 2023.HILL AIR FORCE BASE — Strong, late-season winter weather means more weekday night flights well into the spring.
According to a press release from the 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office at Hill Air Force Base, the active duty 388th and reserve 419th fighter wings will continue local night-flying operations with the F-35A Lightning II combat jet on most weekdays through the end of May. The press release cites heavier than normal winter storms which canceled several training sorties over the last few weeks.
“Hill’s fighter wings must train at night to maintain their combat readiness and all-weather capabilities,” the release said. “Night flying is limited to what is required for pilots to remain proficient in those skills for deployments.”
The release said that much of the flying would be conducted between 9 p.m. and midnight, but exact times will depend on several factors, including weather and airspace availability.
The base is home to 78 F-35A Lightning IIs.