HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Meet Tracy “Trace” Lloyd, flight chief for the 531st Commodities Maintenance Squadron with Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill Air Force Base. Trace’s journey with the Air Force began in 1985 when he started out as a pneudralics systems mechanic working in landing gear. Since then, his career has been a testament to his strong work ethic, dedication to supporting the warfighters, and unwavering love for his country.
Born in Utah County, his family moved from Provo to Pleasant Grove when he was in junior high. After high school Trace attended trade school hoping to get a job with Geneva Steel. However, when Geneva Steel closed their doors halfway through Trace’s program, he began looking for opportunities elsewhere. Just about that time, Hill Air Force Base was recruiting for people with skills in hydraulics and pneumatics. Trace became what was referred to then as a co-op student. The program consisted of six months of hands-on experience at the base. After the six months, Trace returned home to finish his schooling. Once he completed his schooling he returned to work for the OO-ALC, where he has worked for nearly 40 years.
Trace is not a “all work and no play” sort of guy. He has a long-standing passion for restoring classic cars. His favorite car to restore thus far is a 1969 Stingray Corvette convertible. He’s currently working on a 1973 Dodge Power Wagon, and a 1972 GMC 1 Ton, but he’s saving his biggest project to date, a 1969 Kenworth W900, for retirement.
Trace enjoys the outdoors. He likes to go camping, exploring the sand dunes, and visiting Lake Powell with his family. Dogs also play a big part in his life. He and his wife have fostered several dogs, and adopted a coonhound named Jackson. Jackson had landed at the Humane Society for being too rambunctious.
“It was at the end of the day for the adoption event at Petco in Layton,” Trace said. “They were going to take him back to the pound, and Jackson put his paw on my foot. That was the end of that! We fell in love with his long ears, big paws, and friendly personality, and we just took him home.”
Touting hard work as the backbone of his successful career, Trace shares some words of inspiration when he says, “These planes don’t fly without us, so keep pushing, keep showing up! The work we do here is important.”