Janicki’s Tye Reid Named Honorary Commander at Hill Air Force Base

January 2026 Group Photo of Hill Air Force Base Honorary Commanders and Air Force leaders

Tye Reid, Senior Director of Engineering and Operations at Janicki’s Layton, Utah facility, has been selected as an Honorary Commander for the 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group at Hill Air Force Base.

The Honorary Commander program pairs respected civilian leaders with military commanders to strengthen partnerships between Hill AFB and the surrounding community. Serving two-year terms, honorary commanders gain a behind-the-scenes understanding of the Air Force mission, the people who carry it out and work together to create solutions that bridge the military and civilian worlds.

Tye poses with his wife and two boys for a photo in front of the nose of an A-10 airplane

On Jan. 30, 2026, Tye was formally welcomed into the program during an induction ceremony held at the Hill Aerospace Museum, where he was introduced to Colonel Ryan Nash and the 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group who provide modification and programmed depot maintenance for the A-10, F-16, F-22, F-35 and C-130.

Making the evening even more special, Tye’s wife Heidi and their two sons, Olin and Jace, were there to share the moment with him. The occasion carried added meaning for the family, as Heidi works on the A-10 program herself.

The assignment is a fitting one. Janicki machines complex parts to exacting engineering requirements in direct support of the F-35 program, delivering components to the prime contractor. That hands-on experience gives Tye a unique perspective as he works alongside the men and women responsible for keeping those aircraft mission-ready.

For Tye, the partnership is a natural extension of the work Janicki already does. “My goal is to bridge what we build at Janicki with where it ends up. By bringing each other on site and hearing directly from the people who use these parts, we can build a stronger, more meaningful partnership.”

Since the ceremony, Tye has toured the unit’s hangars and has been connecting with their military and civilian personnel. Tye is drawing on his expertise to help the 309th identify suppliers for parts, a direct example of the practical collaboration the program is designed to foster.

Janicki congratulates Tye on this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to seeing the partnership grow over the next two years.

To learn more about the Hill AFB Honorary Commander program, click here.