"Our objective is to continue making the operations at Hill lean and mean, continue making ourselves the big fighting machine that we are," said Col. Sharon Dunbar, commander of the 75th Air Base Wing.

The golden question

Can Hill survive?

No one really knows.

"It all comes back to the support we get from our community," Dunbar said. "Everyone has to deal with base realignment or closure, all the services — everyone is on the table. The unique aspects of the operations at Hill and the support from the community will continue to bolster Hill Air Force Base."

Huntsman is optimistic. He credits a successful partnership with the state to fund new jobs as a plus for Hill in the BRAC process. The Legislature recently approved a $5 million kitty to bring new jobs to the base.

"I think we can certainly stand tall on the advantages we have as a community that play supporting roles for Hill Air Force Base and its long-term viability," Huntsman said. "I think that at the end of the day is where commissioners are going to look very closely and no doubt make a final decision based upon that.

As for Jasey Colunga, he'll believe the BRAC rumors when he sees it. The Davis County native just gotten a job at the base and said he plans on keeping it for a long, long time.

"When the actual time when you drive up to the gate and they say, 'Sorry, we're closed,' that's when I'll believe it," Colunga said.

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E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com

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Coming Tuesday: Sizing up the competition