HILL AIR FORCE BASE—The 1990s once again saw American armed forces on foreign soil. Rising tensions in the Middle East and the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq spurred action by the United States. Due to the heavy emphasis on and use of air power in what became known as the Gulf War, Hill Air Force Base (HAFB) was heavily involved in the conflict which would, in many ways, have effects that continue to the current day.

Hill saw the incoming and outgoing of Air Force personnel during this time, many bound for the conflict in the Middle East, and many seeing heavy action there before returning home. Across the decade, personnel would face brutal modern warfare, with guerrilla tactics, and improvised devices which wrought havoc on those upon which they were inflicted. The support, in both manpower, repair, and arms provided by Hill proved integral, but even then, there was a different kind of danger here at home.

In 1991, 1993, and 1995 the Base Realignment and Closure Commission instituted widespread closures of military bases across the United States. The federal government had deemed that there was a surplus of military bases, some dating back to the Second World War, and some even further, and that following the de-escalation from the Cold War, fewer were needed. Thousands of civilians employed at these bases would lose their jobs.

For a time, Hill Air Force Base was one such base considered. The closure would have meant the loss of nearly 50,000 civilian jobs in the area – a devastating blow to the local economy, as well as to the necessary services provided by those jobs to the US Military. One major deciding factor was the foresight of General Kenneth B. Hobson, discussed during the 1960s article, who brought infrastructure vital to Nuclear Warfare missions to Hill. 

In addition, to efforts from General Hobson, the leadership of General Lester L. Lyles kept things running smoothly during his tenure as Vice Commander of Ogden Air Logistics Center, HAFB from 1993 to 1994. Those familiar with the Air Force will recognize General Lyles’ name, as following his command at HAFB, the general would ultimately become Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force shortly before his retirement in 2003. 

Over the course of his career, General Lyles accumulated many accolades and awards for his service and has even had the opportunity to serve as the Council Advisory Chair at NASA.  An outstanding example of service, General Lyles is yet another example of an exemplary HAFB Alumni.