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The U.S. Air Force Reserve’s 419th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base will lead a statewide Independence Day flyover on July 4 to mark the nation’s “Freedom 250” anniversary, with the Utah Air National Guard’s 151st Wing joining a portion of the route, base officials announced.
F-35A Lightning IIs from Hill AFB are slated to traverse Utah between approximately 8 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. MDT, with a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 151st Wing integrating into the formation for selected segments. The partnership underscores coordination between Utah’s Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard and is designed to give more communities a chance to see the aircraft overhead.
To accommodate an unprecedented number of municipal requests, planners built a continuous, route-based plan that emphasizes reaching every approved location safely and efficiently rather than hitting precise, community-by-community target times, officials said. A route map with estimated timing windows will be posted before the holiday on the Hill AFB website and official social media accounts.
“This flyover is a proud tradition for our wing and a fantastic opportunity to connect with communities across Utah during a historic national milestone,” said Col. Bradley Klemesrud, 419th FW commander. “We are especially excited to have our partners from the 151st Wing join us on the route, showcasing the unified strength of Utah’s military components as we reach as many Utahns as possible.”
The flights are part of routine training and come at no additional cost to taxpayers, according to the base. Aircrews gain experience in navigation, timing, and coordination across varied terrain and airspace. Depending on their location along the route, residents may witness a direct pass or see and hear the aircraft as they transition between communities.
Hill AFB, near Ogden, hosts the 419th Fighter Wing, an Air Force Reserve unit that flies the F-35A. The Utah Air National Guard’s 151st Wing, based at Salt Lake City International Airport, operates the KC-135R for air refueling and mobility missions. Officials advise the public to monitor Hill AFB’s channels for the final route and timing guidance as the holiday approaches.
