Long gives update to UDA on 388th FW performance

  • Published
  • By Anne Morrison
  • Hilltop Times Staff
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  The 388th Fighter Wing commander Col. Scott Long talked to members of the Utah Defense Alliance early Wednesday morning at the Weber Basin Conservatory Headquarters.

Long discussed the progress of both the 388th and the 419th Fighter Wings' improvements with the Total Force Integration program. TFI harmonizes reserve and active duty forces in Air Force and military wide needs. He also highlighted the wing's most recent deployment to Afghanistan and the Combat Hammer weapon evaluation results.

Regarding TFI, Long spoke of utilizing reservist experience since the turnaround in active duty members is high and leveraging active duty resources and infrastructure for reservists. He mentioned discussing the current budget with Air Central Command and Air Force Reserve Command, as well as the Memorandum of Agreement for the TFI. Suggestions are being made on how to better the cohesiveness between AD and reservist members.

During deployment, Long touted his pilots' readiness in their two-month pilot turnaround in Afghanistan, but he joyfully declared the mission as a success, saying it was completed without any collateral damage and zero civilian casualties.

Just last month, the 388th FW had the highest Mission Capable rates in 15 months and the highest Quality Assurance pass rate in 6 months. The 388th FW Combat Mission Ready and Basic Mission Ready rates are the highest they've been in six months.

"I couldn't be happier with the current performance of our wing and appreciate all of our Airmen's dedication and hard work these past few months," he said.

In addition to successes, Long and the 388th FW work on defending the future of the Utah Test and Training Range as the Air Force looks to consolidate resources for budgetary concerns.

"This (the UTTR) is for the greater good of the Air Force and the military," said the colonel.

Long discussed the unique depth and breadth of the range, saying there's nothing else like it in size or capability.

"It's about a national treasure that you just can't get anywhere else," said Long, "But you can do it all here."

The colonel shared long term goals, like allowing more time for the maintenance groups to make deeper repairs as well as focus on Airmen training.

The future of Hill's F-35 program was mentioned. Long said despite the program being on pause, the base is scheduled to be the first location of the F-35's operation. And in response to that, the base will continue to prepare the range for the F-35s.

Vickie McCall, a 388th FW community liaison and civic leader, was pleased with the presentation and thanked the colonel for coming.

"All the concerns we had in the past are ancient history," said McCall.

She said, "There's still work to be done, but the progress has been phenomenal."