A significant construction initiative has officially begun at Hill Air Force Base, marking a critical step forward for the U.S. Air Force’s modernization efforts. The project, known as the East Campus, will enhance support for the F-35A fighter jet and the next-generation T-7A Red Hawk trainer, solidifying the base’s role as a key sustainment hub for advanced military aircraft.
Brig. Gen. Hall Sebren, commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Complex (ALC), emphasized the strategic importance of the development. "The East Campus is a strategic investment in our nation’s air superiority and the long-term readiness of our most advanced aircraft", he said. "By centralizing our sustainment capabilities, we are accelerating how we deliver combat power with the F-35 and ensuring the next generation of fighter pilots have the T-7A trainers they need. This project secures the Ogden ALC’s position as the lead sustainment authority for these platforms for decades to come."
Hill Air Force Base, located in Layton, Utah, is home to approximately 6,900 military and civilian personnel working under the Ogden ALC. The East Campus project is expected to further increase employment opportunities, with the potential to create up to 1,000 additional jobs at the base.
The new site will feature five mission-critical facilities by 2032, including a depot maintenance complex specifically designed for the T-7A Red Hawk, a maintenance hangar for the F-35, and specialized shops for F-35 composite repair, egress systems, and canopies.
The T-7A Red Hawk, a next-generation trainer aircraft, recently entered low-rate initial production at Boeing’s St. Louis site. This aircraft requires a specialized depot capability, which does not currently exist. The infrastructure upgrades at Hill Air Force Base will ensure that when the Red Hawk arrives, the Ogden ALC is fully equipped to maintain and sustain the fleet.
The East Campus project carries an estimated cost of $1.2 billion as of May 2025. The major vertical construction phase is scheduled to begin in fiscal 2027, with initial operations and ribbon-cutting events planned for fiscal 2029. This extensive endeavor underscores the Air Force’s commitment to advancing its technological capabilities and maintaining its air superiority well into the future.
With these upgrades, Hill Air Force Base is poised to remain at the forefront of maintenance and support for the Air Force's cutting-edge aircraft, ensuring readiness and operational excellence for years to come.
