Master Sergeant Lucas R. Hilmo: From Santa Clarita to Global Service

Some stories begin in small hometowns and unfold onto the world stage, marked by courage, commitment, and quiet strength. Such is the journey of Master Sergeant Lucas Richard Hilmo, a Santa Clarita native whose career in the United States Air Force has taken him across continents, through combat deployments, and into leadership roles that impact missions of global importance. Yet, behind his impressive military résumé lies the story of a devoted husband, athlete, and proud cat dad who still carries the heart of Hart High School with him wherever he goes.
Born and raised in Southern California, Hilmo graduated from Hart High School in 2002, where he spent his teenage years splitting time between sports and academics. He played freshman football, lettered in basketball, and excelled on the swim team—earning a spot on the CIF swim team his senior year. Standing tall at 6’4”, Lucas was as memorable for his athleticism as he was for his good-natured presence, already showing signs of the discipline and teamwork that would define his military career.
In July 2005, Hilmo enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as an Aircraft Hydraulics Maintenance Apprentice. Over the next two decades, his career would span assignments at bases in New Jersey, Italy, North Dakota, Japan, Turkey, and New Mexico. He worked on an array of aircraft critical to U.S. operations—the KC-10A, F-16C, B-52H, KC-135, C-130J, and C-17 among them—and deployed multiple times in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. His expertise has kept aircraft mission-ready across some of the Air Force’s most complex and vital fleets.
Most recently, Hilmo served as the Accessories Flight Chief at the 58th Maintenance Squadron, Kirtland Air Force Base, where he led 66 Airmen across three career fields. His role was both technical and deeply human—ensuring aircraft readiness while also mentoring, guiding, and shaping the next generation of Air Force leaders. His decorated career includes the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air and Space Commendation Medal with five oak leaf clusters, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, among many others.
On October 1, 2025, Hilmo officially retired after 20 years of distinguished service. His retirement ceremony, held at Kirtland Air Force Base, honored not only his professional accomplishments but also the dedication and sacrifices made throughout his military journey.
But Lucas Hilmo’s story is more than professional achievement—it’s also a love story. While stationed at Aviano Air Base in Italy, he met Neda, the woman who would become his wife in 2012. Striking as individuals—Lucas at 6’4” and Neda at 6’1”—they became an unforgettable couple, especially during their time in Japan, where locals often stopped them for photos. At home, their life is filled with warmth, joy, and the company of their beloved cats, Thor and Duchess.
Fitness is another cornerstone of Hilmo’s identity. Both he and Neda have competed in marathons, sharing a love of endurance sports that mirror the persistence required of military life. Lucas recently completed his second half-Ironman and is currently training for a full Ironman competition—an achievement that requires the same mix of grit, planning, and resilience that he brought to his role in the Air Force.
Education, too, has been central to Hilmo’s path. Over the years, he has earned an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, and most recently a master’s degree in aeronautics, graduating with distinction from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. His academic success underscores a theme that runs throughout his life: a dedication to growth, learning, and striving for excellence no matter the arena.
Family remains a cornerstone of Lucas’s life. His mother, Lydia Kravitz, and her husband, Curt, along with his father, Larry Hilmo, and his wife, Elena, have been unwavering in their support. Remarkably, both families share a warm and harmonious bond, celebrating milestones together and providing Lucas with a strong foundation throughout his career.
From the basketball courts and swim lanes of Hart High School to the hangars of Air Force bases around the world, Master Sergeant Lucas R. Hilmo has carried the values of hard work, service, and community with him. He is a reminder that Santa Clarita continues to produce individuals whose impact reaches far beyond city limits.
Lucas Hilmo is not just a Master Sergeant or a decorated Airman—he is a son of Santa Clarita, a husband, an athlete, and a man whose life reflects the extraordinary possibilities born from ordinary beginnings. 

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