Automotive Mechanic retiring after 40 years in service

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  After 40 years of service to the United States military, Allyn Hill, 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron automotive mechanic, is finally hanging up his tool belt and heading into retirement.

Mr. Hill was born and raised in Lewistown, Mont., graduating from Fergus High School in 1967. He started his career off in the United States Navy, serving during the Vietnam War from 1968 through 1972 before coming to work at Malmstrom Air Force Base.

"In the Navy, I was mostly on the West coast," said Mr. Hill, "stationed in San Diego for two years and then home-ported in Hawaii for my last two. I came here Sept. 23 of 1972. My first year, from September to July of 1973, I was a service worker. Back then, they had civilians working in what we used to call the 'chow hall' doing odd jobs here and there. I came to work for LRS in July of 1973, and I've been here ever since."

He started work in building 1448, working on Transport Erector '62 models, truck and trailers used to haul missiles to the field and install them into the missile silos. Now, 37 years later, he works on newer models, still in the same building as when he started.

"Now they work on TE '89 and '90s trailers," Mr. Hill said. "Technology got better over the years, and whereas before it was hands-on, now you have to be pretty smart with computers because everything is technical with the engines. It's more of a younger person's career field, especially when you've started out hands-on rebuilding everything."

With his abundance of experience in his career field, Mr. Hill is highly respected and looked up to by his peers.

"He has such a vast range of experience dealing with nuclear certified vehicles and he taught me a lot about them," said former supervisor Tech. Sgt. Barry Love, 341st LRS non-commissioned officer in charge. "He has the type of work ethic that, when he gets on a job, he fixes it right the first time, and from the time he comes into work until he leaves at the end of the day, he is all about the mission. His experience in repair will be sorely felt when he retires."

In his spare time, Mr. Hill loves spending time outdoors, and with his newfound free time, intends to spend more time taking advantage of it.

"My wife and I have a house outside of Great Falls with some acreage, and we have horses," he said. "Now that I'm retiring, I can spend more time with the horses, and go camping and hunting in the mountains. I'm just going to enjoy life and relax."

Mr. Hill is married to Cynthia Hill, 341st Force Support Squadron human resource officer, and has three children; Brian, Courtney, and Denna.

"LRS has been a good organization to work for," Mr. Hill said. "I've done really well here, had good supervisors and co-workers and I've truly enjoyed it. I met a lot of people and friends over the years. I've seen two stripers turn into chiefs and seen a lot of commanders come and go. It's been a good ride. It really has."

Mr. Hill's last day of work is May 1.