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Show Dec. 2 1 , 1 995 11 Hilltop Times 388th looks back on 20 years .at Hill by SSgt. Bryon M. Beers 388th Fighter Wing historian Twenty years ago, Dec 23, 1975, the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing relocated to Hill AFB, distinguishing the day as a landmark in its history. The colorful past of the 388th Fighter Wing is highlighted by its 53 years of patriotic service. Although not active throughout all these years, the wing never let the United States down in times of crisis. During the wing's tenure, it supported thousands of combat missions and experienced many changes. Being a seasoned veteran of reorganization after four jL&W activations, the wing quickly generated its first local F--4 sortie March 15, 1976. A monumental event occurred when the wing became the first unit in the world to receive the new Fighting Falcon on Jan. 6, 1979. The wing's pilots and maintenance personnel quickly mastered the new aircraft, capturing the 1981 Royal Air Force Tactical Bombing Competition and winning the 1987 Worldwide Fighter Gunnery Meet. In addition, on May 17, 1987, the 388th TFW became the first operational unit to receive the new 6 CD Block 40 aircraft. In August 1990, the wing's 4th and 421st Tactical Fighter Squadrons deployed to Southwest Asia as part of the 388th TFW (Provisional) in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The provisional wing flew 3,976 combat sorties, dropped more than 2.7 million munitions and maintained a mission capable rate of 91.4 percent. While in Southeast Asia, the unit also pioneered the "Killer Scout" concept, whereby A F-1- . pilots patrolled specific geographic areas and located key targets for other aircraft. On Oct. 1, 1991, as part of the Air Force's lessons learned in the Persian Gulf War, the 388th TFW was redesignated as the 388th Fighter Wing. This reflected the reality that fighter aircraft could be used in bombing both tactical and strategic targets. These changes also affected the wing's three tactical fighter squadrons, which were renamed fighter squadrons. On May 1, 1995, the 388th FW became the largest night fighter wing in the Air Force with its completed Block 40 conversion with Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night capability. The wing's patriotism in the defense of the United Sates is evident in 11 Outstanding Unit Awards nine with combat "V" devices, one Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm, one Presidential Unit Citation and two Distinguished Unit Citations. sHNWMhJ Photo by A.B. RusmII Venezuelan hits 75 AF During preparations to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Venezuela's Air Force Academy, a Col. Ramon Rivas Silva (center), CWO Ruben (left) and Sgt Yuri Nieves, Venezuelan liaison officers working in Hill's International Division, review a message from Gen. Jose Borges Blasco, commander of the Venezuelan Air Force. The Venezuelan Academy was formally established on Dec. 10, 1920. in his message, Blasco said the Air Force's mission statement, 'Take off to the future," serves as inspiration to continue to build and strengthen. Tor-realb- Au-gust- in The 388th Fighter Wing became the first unit in the world to fly the SCHEDULE OPERATION Inc. MorMedia, Hilltop Times (Hill AFB) Final Hilltop Times 1995: December 21 (Thursday) 2. First Hilltop Times 1996: January 11 (Thursday) Holiday Helpers HOLIDAY HOURS Are you tired of stuffing someone else's stocking with your $? Thursday, December 21, 9:00 a.m.-- 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 Saturday, Dec. 23 Sunday, Dec. 24 Monday, Dec. 25 Tuesday, Dec. 26 Noon Dec. 27 and Dec. 28, 9:00 a.m.-12:0- 0 Short on cash until payday Longer term loans available LOWEST weekly rates Friday, Dec. 29 Saturday, Dec. 30 Sunday, Dec. 31 Monday, Jan. 1 Tuesday, Jan. 2 Noon Jan. 3 and Jan. 4, 9:00 a.m.-1- 2 Jan. 5 Saturday, Jan. 6 . i,f.uu.ii.'M;iAy.umM.nti-- OPEN: 9 a.m.-- 5 n. in town GUARANTEED! BORROW ROM $50 to $1,000 FVxile program for tme wtk good aedk Henbit poywrt lenm Itom 3 11 f (Before you pay mors, give tn a coll) Sunday, thru Thursday Jan.8-Jap.m. Monday OPEN: 9 a.m. 2 p.m. Friday Jan. 12 while at Hill 6, f "V 1. Friday, Jan 7. F-1- mon&a (Soa si ras idiom S 6ayt to 12 or ofh ) 5SK SdU liwitid Inc. Friendly Fast Convenient Four Locations, Call or Stop In Today U (8 HJ 324J-S55- --vIATTON siSrWBauiiMi 5 LEAVE A MESSAGE W H (8.u J --- 1111 v k . i TUOCU v -- MICEAM --v m M 2$6-GS- S ASK FOR BILL jfQhell creations SHELLS CORAL SEA HORSES SAND DOLLARS SEA URCHINS 1150 W. Riverdale Rd. (801) 627-91- 61 Located on the lower level of the Four Sisters Furniture OPEN: TUESDAY-SATURDA- Y 12:00 P.M. TO 6:00 P.M. |