F-16 pilots in skies for 4th flyovers

  • Published
  • By Kari Tilton and Andrea Houck
  • 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs and Team Hill Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Continuing a 25-year tradition, Hill F-16 pilots will soar over community parades across the Wasatch Front this Fourth of July weekend.

The holiday flyovers will kick off at 8 p.m. July 2, when four F-16s from the 388th Fighter Wing wow crowds at the Stadium of Fire celebration in Provo.

The pilots recently returned from deployment to Afghanistan and include Capt. Matt Crabb, Capt. Thomas Werner, Capt. Jevon Yeretzian and Capt. Matthew Bittner.

"We have spent 12 of the last 16 months in Afghanistan, and we're so very honored to be here and share these Independence Day celebrations with our local community," said Capt. Matt Crabb, 4th Fighter Squadron B-Flight Commander.

On the morning of July 4, four F-16 pilots from Utah's only Air Force Reserve unit -- the 419th Fighter Wing -- will fly above parade routes in West Point, Murray, Provo, Richfield, Delta, Clearfield, Hooper, Riverdale, North Ogden, Huntsville, Morgan, Vernal and Park City.

"It's a privilege to support these local Independence Day celebrations year after year," said Lt. Col. James Greenwald, flyover lead pilot who has more than 3,400 flying hours in the F-16. "As Reservists, most of our members live and work in the local area and we're extremely proud to call Utah home." Greenwald has completed eight combat tours to Southwest Asia.

He will be joined by Maj. Jon Larsen, Maj. Scott Laroche, and Utah native, Lt. Col. Christopher Robinson. These pilots have a combined total of nearly 6,000 flying hours and each has completed two combat tours to Southwest Asia.