An F-35A Lightning II, assigned to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, takes off. (U.S. Air Force photo by Anthony Pham)

419th Fighter Wing News

News Search

  • Ogden ALC delivers 12th F-35A

    The Ogden Air Logistics Complex recently completed modifications on the 12th F-35A Lightning II for the Air Force's active-duty 388th Fighter Wing and Reserve 419th Fighter Wing.The June 30 delivery gives the two wings the minimum number of aircraft required to reach "initial operational

  • Reservist talks futuristic F-35 helmet

    Staff Sgt. Joseph Hicks, 419th Operations Support Flight, became the first reservist at Hill’s aircrew flight equipment shop to work with state-of-the-art helmets for the F-35 Lightning II, the Air Force’s newest fighter jet.   As an AFE technician, Hicks maintains and stores pilot gear, including

  • 419th to fly over Utah July 4 weekend

    As a way to thank Utah communities for their support, reservists in the 419th Fighter Wing will provide F-16 flyovers to 16 cities this Fourth of July weekend.   The jets will fly over the following cities the morning of July 4: Centerville, Murray, West Point, Provo, Riverdale, Clearfield, North

  • F-35A nearly combat ready

    The first off-station deployment exercise for the F-35A Lightning II confirmed that the Air Force’s newest fighter jet is on track to reach initial operational capability later this year.A declaration of IOC means the F-35A will be combat ready.Seven F-35A aircraft and 181 personnel from Hill’s

  • ‘Super UTA’ puts Airmen to test

    Reservists in the 419th Fighter Wing completed a “Super UTA” here June 9-12, combining two monthly drill weekends as part of an internal inspection.  The 419th Inspector General office oversaw the four-day exercise to ensure the wing meets annual training requirements.  “Each squadron is testing

  • Eilertsen takes command of 419th CES

    Maj. Mark Eilertsen assumed command of the 419th Civil Engineer Squadron from Lt. Col. Rodney Hammond during a ceremony at historic Wendover Field June 10.  Eilertsen commissioned in the U.S. Air Force in 2005 as a graduate of the Reserve Officer Training Corp at Brigham Young University. Prior to

  • Reserve F-35 pilot takes command of 419th OG

    The 419th Operations Group welcomed a new commander here June 12.Col. David Castaneda, who just returned from two months of F-35 pilot training, assumed command of the 419th Operations Group from Col. Brian Silkey.Castaneda graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1993 and became an active duty F-16

  • Local youth becomes honorary firefighter

    Joshua Jones, a local teenager who is enduring a life-threatening illness, became a firefighter for a day alongside reservists from the 419th Fighter Wing here June 9.  Jones was joined by his sisters, Rachel and Merriam. The visit included a fire truck ride, fire station tour, and firefighting

  • Reservist helps improve F-35 tire process

    For years, the wheel shop here has disassembled, inspected, repaired, built, and delivered reliable tires and wheels for F-16 Fighting Falcons. That reliability and 24-hour turnaround service will remain intact as the base's operational mission transitions to the F-35A Lightning II.The F-35 tire

  • Wing hosts 96-year-old WWII veteran

    On the 72nd anniversary of D-Day this week, the 419th Fighter Wing hosted 96-year-old Army veteran Charles Hardy, who served in World War II and the Korean War.   During his visit, Hardy toured Hill’s flightline and heard the roar of F-16s engines. He also got an up-close look at the Air Force’s