Air Force commander thanks Utah lawmakers, highlights Hill AFB’s economic and defense role

A senior Air Force commander addressed the Utah House on Jan. 30, thanking lawmakers for support of Hill Air Force Base and outlining the installation’s economic and national defense roles.

The commander said Hill and related locations pump about $3,400,000,000 into Utah’s economy each year and stressed that the base is more than a maintenance center: it is ‘‘where warfighting is prepared for and practiced,’’ including support for the F‑35 mission and the transition to a more software‑driven force. "Hill is an essential component of the nation's defense," the commander said.

Why it matters: Hill AFB is both a major local employer and a strategic military installation. The commander said legislative investments in workforce and research programs such as USTAR and the Utah Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Initiative helped prepare the base for future missions.

The commander warned of rising global threats, saying foreign competitors ‘‘can go from concept to hardware in two years’’ and that adversaries’ capabilities should give lawmakers pause. He also invited legislators and the public to an air show at Hill in June and urged members to meet airmen at a rotunda reception during the day’s events. "Aim high, airmen. Fly, fight, and win," he concluded.

House members applauded and several representatives asked brief questions following the address. Representative Handy thanked the commander for his remarks and for promoting the air show to colleagues.

The address was given in the Committee of the Whole and did not include any formal legislative action; members continued with committee reports and calendar business after the presentation.