Dive into the military history of Hill Air Force Base as author George Larson explores why this base in northern Utah has played such an important role in supporting the conflicts in both World Wars as well as in Korea and Vietnam, and has helped to develop the United States Air Force into what it is today.
Hill Air Force Base is located 30 miles north of Salt Lake City, Utah. It was named in honor of Maj. Ployer Peter Hill, who was killed in a crash of a Boeing B-17 at Wright Field. In World War II, the base became a maintenance, supply, and temporary surplus aircraft storage depot. Hill supported US forces in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. It also became a maintenance and support facility for the Air Force's turbojet aircraft and missiles during the Cold War. One of the base's important missions is support for the Utah Test and Training Range. Currently, Hill Air Force Base has 78 F-35s assigned to the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings. Lt. Col. George A. Larson, USAF (Ret.), served more than 22 years as an intelligence officer. He is a military and aviation writer who has published numerous books and hundreds of magazine articles.