HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – This Veterans Day weekend, Air Force reservists from the 419th Fighter Wing took their stories to the community surrounding Hill AFB.
Col. Gina “Torch” Sabric, 419th FW commander, was keynote speaker during a patriotic program Nov. 12 at the Veterans Memorial in Riverdale. Sabric talked about the importance of honoring those who served in the military, highlighting major events in recent U.S. history.
Lt. Col. TJ Eaton, a reservist in the 419th Inspector General office, accepted the Utah Distinguished Veteran Award during a ceremony Nov. 9 at the University of Utah. Each year, the university honors 11 veterans for extraordinary military service. Eaton was recently awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, which was upgraded from an Air Medal he received for his lifesaving efforts during combat in Southwest Asia in 2008, when he served as a B-1 pilot in the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron.
Tech. Sgt. Philip Pinillos, 419th Cyber Flight, and Airman Brianne Chapman, 419th Maintenance Group, visited students at West Point Elementary on Nov. 9 to talk about their jobs in the Air Force Reserve and answer questions about the military.
On Nov. 12, reservists in the explosive ordnance disposal flight – part of the 419th Civil Engineer Squadron – took equipment and gear to North Layton Junior High. Joined by their active duty counterparts in the 775th EOD, the Airmen showed off some of their high-tech capabilities, including a bomb-defusing robot, before taking part in a school assembly dedicated to U.S. veterans.
Many other reservists participated in local events, such as parades, alongside their families.
The 419th FW is made up of more than 1,200 “Citizen Airmen” who serve part time in the military, but are full-time members of the local community. Wing personnel serve in a variety of specialties including F-35 operations and maintenance, civil engineering, security forces, medical, firefighting, and more.