An F-35A Lightning II fighter jet takes off during Astral Knight 2019 on June 3, 2019, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The U.S. Air Force has deployed one squadron of F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, Airmen, and associated equipment to Aviano Air Base, Italy, from the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings, at Hill AFB, Utah. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jim Araos)

F-35 pilots at a Utah base to resume night flying this week

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AP) — Starting this week, pilots at Utah’s Hill Air Force Base will start their recurrent local night flying schedule.

Base officials say northern Utah residents will notice increased jet activity during the evening hours as F-35 pilots practice night-time combat skills from Nov. 12-22.

Night operations are limited, with pilots flying at night just enough to meet certain proficiency requirements required by the Air Force.

Most of the night flying is scheduled to wrap up by 10:30 p.m.

Hill’s two fighter wings — the active-duty 388th and reserve 419th — now have three fighter squadrons with more than 70 jets.

The base is south of Ogden.