Hill F-16 units to conduct night flying through Dec. 19

Published Dec. 9, 2013
75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- F-16 pilots from Hill's 388th and 419th Fighter Wings will conduct night flying Dec. 9-19. Local residents can expect an increase in noise during the evening hours as pilots sharpen their nighttime combat flying skills.

The wings will conduct these missions Monday through Thursday until about midnight.

The active duty 388th FW and the Reserve 419th FW limit night flying operations to the minimum required to remain combat ready for 24-hour operations. Nighttime presents many unique challenges for fighter pilots maneuvering in simulated combat scenarios and it is important the pilots get training repetitions before being called to action.

When deployed in a combat environment, pilots regularly fly missions during darkness using night vision goggles in addition to their normal sensors and avionics.