HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UT -- On June 4, 1983, the 419th Tactical Fighter Wing, Utah's only Air Force Reserve flying unit, began retiring the renowned F-105 Thunderchief with a 24-ship flyover of Hill Air Force Base. Personnel who had distinguished themselves in combat operations years before in Southeast Asia led and participated in the singular final tribute.
While this wing recently integrated with the USAF's active-duty 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, its roots as Utah's only Air Force Reserve flying unit go back to 1955. Initially, the Reservists flew F-80 fighters and transitioned to F-84s in 1956. Beginning in 1958, they flew C-119s and transitioned to the C-124 in 1964.
They transitioned to the F-105 in 1973 and flew them, also with distinction, for just a little more than 10 years before accepting the Air Force Reserve's first F-16 in 1984. That was just five years after Hill's 388th Tactical Fighter Wing had become the USAF's first F-16 combat wing.