388th Wing : WSS, Hill AFB, UT

• Heritage: The 388th Wing traces its lineage back to the 388th Bombardment Group, which flew B-17 Flying Fortresses during World War II and was activated in 1942. • F-16 Legacy: The 388th was one of the first units in the U.S. Air Force to operate the F-16 Fighting Falcon, beginning in the late 1970s, and has been a leader in F-16 tactics and training for decades. • F-35A Pioneer: The 388th Fighter Wing was the first operational combat unit in the Air Force to receive the F-35A Lightning II, marking a new era in stealth fighter operations starting in 2015. • Combat Deployments: The wing has deployed to multiple combat zones, including the Middle East, participating in Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. • Wild Weasel Role: The 388th has a distinguished history in the "Wild Weasel" mission—suppression of enemy air defenses—a role it performed with the F-4G Phantom II and later the F-16. • WSS Mission: The 388th Wing includes the Weapon System Support (WSS) group, responsible for ensuring the readiness and sustainment of the F-35A's complex systems and logistics. • Hill AFB Location: Based at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, the wing benefits from one of the largest military installations in the western United States, providing vast training ranges and support. • Joint Operations: The 388th works closely with the Air Force Reserve’s 419th Fighter Wing at Hill AFB, executing the Total Force Integration concept for F-35 operations and deployments. • Historic Firsts: In 2019, the 388th completed the first F-35A combat deployment to the Middle East, flying over 1,300 sorties in support of coalition operations. • Community Engagement: The 388th Wing is known for its community involvement, hosting airshows, STEM events, and educational outreach to foster military-civilian relations in Utah.