Hill Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Ogden, Utah
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Hill Air Force Base is located approximately 25 miles north of Salt Lake City, near Ogden, Utah. It is one of the Air Force’s largest installations and home to two distinct but complementary missions: the Ogden Air Logistics Complex (OO-ALC) provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul for a wide range of Air Force weapon systems, while the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings operate the F-35A Lightning II, making Hill the first combat unit to fly the F-35A. Named for Maj. Ployer Peter Hill, a 1930s test pilot, Hill AFB has over 22,000 military and civilian employees and is Utah’s largest employer.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Provide combat-ready F-35A Strike Fighter forces; conduct depot-level maintenance and logistics for designated Air Force weapon systems including the F-35, A-10, and intercontinental ballistic missile support systems.
Major Units: 388th Fighter Wing (active duty F-35A); 419th Fighter Wing (Air Force Reserve F-35A, associate); Ogden Air Logistics Complex (OO-ALC) – one of three Air Force depots; 75th Air Base Wing (installation host)
Tenant Units: Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center; 526th ICBM Systems Group; Aerospace Data Facility-Mountain (classified mission); Defense Contract Audit Agency; various maintenance and depot support organizations

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Salt Lake City, UT – approximately 25 miles south; Ogden, UT – approximately 5 miles west
Nearest Commercial Airport: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) – approximately 35 miles south
Gate Access: North Gate and South Gate (primary); CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; large civilian contractor workforce creates significant gate volume

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 6,000
Family Members: Approximately 10,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 16,000 (largest civilian employer in Utah)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 25,000+ (making Hill one of the most important installations in the western U.S.)

Key Facilities

Medical: Mike O’Callaghan Military Medical Center is at Nellis; Hill has 75th Medical Group Clinic with primary care, dental, behavioral health; larger specialist needs addressed at University of Utah Health or Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City
Commissary: Yes – large commissary on base
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – large AAFES main exchange, auto center, food court; one of the larger exchanges in the western U.S.
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers; outdoor pool; golf course (Eagle Mountain Golf Course); bowling center; auto skills center; ski country is 45-90 minutes away; excellent year-round outdoor recreation in Utah
Schools: Weber School District and Davis School District serve military families; no DoDEA schools; Utah public schools generally good; large number of military families means strong school-military community relationships
Childcare: Multiple Child Development Centers on base; waitlists very common; register immediately upon receipt of orders; contact Child and Youth Services at (801) 777-4044
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; comprehensive wellness services
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office, 75th Air Base Wing; appointment-based; (801) 777-3539

Housing

On-Post Housing: Privatized housing managed by Balfour Beatty Communities; over 1,300 units; mix of single-family and multi-unit housing; Layton, Clearfield, and Roy neighborhoods on base; condition generally good
Average Wait Time: 30-60 days typical; off-post options abundant along Wasatch Front
Off-Post Housing: Layton, Clearfield, Roy, and Ogden are primary off-post communities; average rent approximately $1,500-$2,200/month for 3-bedroom home; Davis County (Layton/Clearfield) is the primary Hill AFB bedroom community; commutes to Salt Lake City are feasible but can face I-15 congestion
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit; 388th Fighter Wing and 75th Air Base Wing sponsorship programs
In-Processing: 75th Air Base Wing in-processing center; typically 2-3 days; orientation includes outdoor recreation briefing (world-class ski country access)
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Airman and Family Readiness Center; enrollment required; Salt Lake City/Ogden area has excellent specialist medical coverage including University of Utah Health System and Primary Children’s Hospital

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Semi-arid with moderate snowfall; warm summers (average high 91F/33C in July); cold winters (average low 22F/-6C in January); inversions in the Salt Lake Valley can cause air quality issues in winter; excellent spring and fall seasons; very low humidity
Cost of Living: Moderate; Utah is below national average; rapid growth in the Salt Lake area has elevated housing costs but still below major coastal cities; no income tax on military pay in Utah
Nearby Attractions: World-class skiing – Alta, Snowbird, Park City, Deer Valley within 45-90 minutes; Salt Lake City attractions; Bonneville Salt Flats; Great Salt Lake; Dinosaur National Monument (2 hours); Zion National Park (5 hours); multiple national parks in driving distance
Spouse Employment: Strong and growing Utah economy (tech sector “Silicon Slopes,” healthcare, defense contracting, education); Ogden and Salt Lake City offer diverse employment; large Hill AFB civilian workforce means federal civilian opportunities; A&FRC assists

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.hill.af.mil
Main Installation Phone: (801) 777-1110
MWR Website: https://hillmwr.com (verify current URL)
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), Hill AFB; (801) 777-3330; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.hill.af.mil; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/hill-air-force-base; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HillAirForce_Base, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law