Hill Air Force Base supported the Feb. 15 transit of a small nuclear reactor and associated components, with 75th Air Base Wing airfield, logistics, security and support teams coordinating the arrival of three C‑17 aircraft from March Air Reserve Base, Calif. Federal and state officials held a press conference at Hill AFB to highlight the reactor’s role in the War and Energy Departments’ effort to advance deployable nuclear power for military installations. After ground handling at Hill, the equipment continued to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab for testing and evaluation.
A small nuclear reactor sits in the cargo area of a C‑17 Globemaster III at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Feb. 15, 2025. The Air Force, Department of Energy and Valar Atomics airlifted the reactor by C‑17 from March Air Reserve Base, California, to Hill AFB. The reactor was later moved to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab for testing and evaluation. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw) 
An Airman kneels in front of a small nuclear reactor while guiding a cargo loader toward the back of a C‑17 Globemaster III at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Feb. 15, 2025. The Air Force, Department of Energy and Valar Atomics airlifted the reactor by C‑17 from March Air Reserve Base, California, to Hill AFB. The reactor was later moved to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab for testing and evaluation. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw) 
Airmen unload a small nuclear reactor from a C‑17 Globemaster III at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Feb. 15, 2025. The Air Force, Department of Energy and Valar Atomics airlifted the reactor by C‑17 from March Air Reserve Base, California, to Hill AFB. The reactor was later moved to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab for testing and evaluation. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw) 
Airmen unload a small nuclear reactor from a C‑17 Globemaster III at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Feb. 15, 2025. The Air Force, Department of Energy and Valar Atomics airlifted the reactor by C‑17 from March Air Reserve Base, California, to Hill AFB. The reactor was later moved to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab for testing and evaluation. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw) 
Airmen unload a small nuclear reactor from a C‑17 Globemaster III at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Feb. 15, 2025. The Air Force, Department of Energy and Valar Atomics airlifted the reactor by C‑17 from March Air Reserve Base, California, to Hill AFB. The reactor was later moved to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab for testing and evaluation. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw) 
Airmen unload nuclear reactor components from a C‑17 Globemaster III at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Feb. 15, 2025. The Air Force, Department of Energy and Valar Atomics airlifted a small nuclear reactor by C‑17 from March Air Reserve Base, California, to Hill AFB. The reactor was later moved to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab for testing and evaluation. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw) 
Airmen unload nuclear reactor components from a C-17 Globemaster III at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Feb. 15, 2025. The Air Force, Department of Energy and Valar Atomics airlifted a small nuclear reactor on C-17 aircraft from March Air Reserve Base in California to Hill Air Force Base. The reactor will eventually go to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab for testing and evaluation. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw) 
A C‑17 Globemaster III transporting nuclear reactor components lands at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Feb. 15, 2025. The Air Force, Department of Energy and Valar Atomics airlifted a small nuclear reactor by C‑17 from March Air Reserve Base, California, to Hill AFB. The reactor was later moved to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab for testing and evaluation. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)