Hill pilots planning parade flyovers in N. Utah for Independence Day

HILL AIR FORCE BASE — As has been a steadfast tradition for nearly two decades, pilots from the 419th Fighter Wing will take to the air on Independence Day to fly over parades across northern Utah.

Kicking off at 9 a.m. July Fourth, four F-16 pilots will fly over Willard, West Point, Centerville, Park City, Gunnison, Delta, Tooele, Clearfield, Hooper, Riverdale, North Ogden, Huntsville, Morgan, Vernal, Riverton and Kaysville.

For Layton native Lt. Col. Kurt Gallegos, the 466th Operations Officer, this is his sixth year leading the flyovers and ninth year participating.

Gallegos said he feels honored to be able to fly over the community where he grew up.

"Utah is very patriotic and, for the most part, supports the military," he said. "Now on our Independence Day, our freedom day, the military gets to give back to the community."

"We enjoy supporting the local area," said Lt. Col. Pat Wade, 466th Fighter Squadron commander and one of the flyover pilots. "I feel privileged to take part in the Fourth of July flyovers."

Many of Utah's towns anticipate the flyovers throughout the year.

Hollis Haws, a retired Air Force technical sergeant and flyover requestor for Vernal, said people are always asking him about the Independence Day flyovers.

"Several years ago, in February, I was working in a hardware store and received a phone call," Haws said. "A St. George woman wanted to make sure that Vernal was having a flyover, because she was planning her family's vacation around it."

— Amy Joi O'Donoghue