Wing to add extra flair to July 4 celebrations Published July 1, 2015 By Bryan Magaña 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Fireworks won't be the only thrill for Utah citizens looking to the skies on July 4. The 419th Fighter Wing will add extra flare to the state's patriotic celebrations with F-16 flyovers in 15 cities that morning. The 419th FW resumes the holiday flyovers after a two-year break due to sequestration budget cuts. Pilots from Hill's Air Force Reserve unit will fly over the following cities: Clearfield, Richfield, West Point, Vernal, Riverdale, Layton, Centerville, Murray, Riverton, Park City, North Ogden, Morgan, Gunnison, Liberty, and Kaysville. "We're thrilled to have the F-16 flyover again," said Paul Cutler, mayor of Centerville. "The number one question I get asked every year is 'Can we get a flyover again?' Our citizens love flyovers - not just for the thrill, but as a way to celebrate our military." Flying the jets will be Lt. Col. Chris "Hajji" Robinson, Maj. Seth "Bean" Jordan, Maj. Jayson "Vato" Rickard, and Maj. Bart "Face" Wilbanks. The Reserve pilots have a combined 10,000 flying hours and have deployed 13 times in combat. Because July 4 celebrations span across the state, the four pilots will split the mission to provide a two-ship flyover in each city. "It's our way of showing appreciation for what our community does for Hill Air Force Base," said Wilbanks, the lead pilot. "There aren't too many times we get to show the public how much we appreciate what they do, and we want to spend part of our holiday letting them know we're here for them, as much as they're here for us." Wilbanks, who is participating for the third time in the July 4 flyovers, said the flight coordination is finely orchestrated to ensure the public's safety. "It's an honor to be able to do these flyovers on behalf of the men and women of Hill Air Force Base," said Col. Bryan Radliff, 419th FW commander. Flyovers begin at 9 a.m. and end shortly after 11 a.m., but reservists in the 419th Maintenance Group will be at work early that morning to prep the jets for takeoff. More than 20 reservists volunteered to work the holiday to make it happen. The 419th FW has performed flyovers on July 4 for about 25 years, making the U.S. Air Force Reserve a mainstay in Utah's Independence Day celebrations.