"TOAST"
Tim DesMarais, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, graduated from Villanova University with a BA in Psychology and a Masters of Science in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. After Graduation from Officer Training School, he completed his pilot training at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona. He received his wings in 1973. During his 23-year Air Force career, be flew the T-33 and F-106 in Air Defense Command. He graduated from the Interceptor Weapons School and was selected to return as an instructor and Chief Tactics Research and Development for the entire F-106 weapons system. Subsequently, he was assigned to the F-16 program with tours in Korea, Spain, and MacDill Air Force Base. He attended the F-16 Fighter Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nevada. and the Navy Top Gun Weapons School at Miramar Naval Air Station, California. and was guest instructor at the Euro-NATO Fighter Weapons School in Skrydstrup Air Base, Denmark.
He was selected as Chief Pilot for Fighter Pilots USA in November, 1991. Lt. Col. DesMarais is a command pilot with over 5,000 hours of flight time, including 1,500 hours in the F-16.
"OPIE"
Alan Kinback, from Juno Beach, Florida, graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a BS in Basic Sciences in June, 1973. He completed pilot training at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, in 1974.
After graduation, he was assigned to operational fighter squadrons at Kadena AB, Japan, Osan AB, Korea, and Offult AFB, Nebraska. Upon leaving active duty in 1979, he joined the New Jersey Air National Guard and was assigned to the 199th Fighter Squadron in Atlantic City. There he flew the T-33 " Shooting Star," the F- 106 "Delta Dart" and most recently, the F- 16 "Fighting Falcon." Among his many accomplishments, he was the only F-106 pilot to achieve a front-quarter kill with the AIM-4G heat-seeking missile. Against a full scale QF-100 drone. He also was the first Air Force pilot ever to successfully complete an operational, single seat, night vision intercept.
LtCol Kinback has accumulated 9000 hours of flight time which includes the F-16.
"ROBO"
Ralph Brown, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a BS in Astronautical Engineering and received a Masters of Public Administration from Golden Gate University. He completed his pilot training at Reese AFB, Texas in 1974.
During his 21-year career he flew the T-38 as an Undergraduate Pilot Training instructor at Reese AFB and an instructor for Fighter Lead-in Training at Holloman AFB, NM. He transitioned to the F-4D for an operational tour at Torrejon AB, Spain, where be was selected to convert to the F-16. After a tour as an F-16 instructor at MacDill AFB, FL, he was assigned to Kunsan AB, Korea, as an F-16 squadron Operations Officer. He then returned to MacDill where he continued to instruct in the F-16 as commander of the 61st Fighter Squadron, and Deputy Commander of the 56th Operations Group.
Lt. Col. Brown is a command pilot with over 3,600 flight hours, including over 1-6000 hours in the F- 16.
"VINO"
Vincent Santillo, from Totowa, New Jersey, graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a BS in Civil Engineering and received a Masters of Science in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. He completed pilot training at Craig AFB, Alabama in 1970.
During his 25-year career. he accumulated over 1,000 combat hours flying the C-7 in Vietnam, and the B-52 in Southeast Asia. Selected for the prestigious SAC-TAC exchange program, Colonel Santillo transitioned to the F-4 at Luke AFB, AZ, followed by a tour at Nellis AFB, NV. In between two staff tours at Major Commands, he was elected to fly the F-16, where he accumulated extensive experience in Spain, ltaly, and Turkey. Most recently, he served as the Operations Group Commander for the 56th Fighter Wing at MacDill AFB, FL, and he was selected to command the Operations Group responsible for enforcing the no-fly zone in Southern Iraq.
Coloniel Santillo is a command pilot with over 4,500 hours, which includes over I,000 hours in the F-16.
"TORCH"
Mike Meyer, from Downers Grove, Illinois, attended the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After receiving his BS in General Engineer at the academy in 1983, he attended Pilot Training at Willimas AFB, Arizona.
Upon graduation from Pilot Training, he was assigned to MacDill AFB, Florida for F-16 training and was cited as a Distinguished Graduate. He was then assigned to an operational tour at Torrejon AB, Spain in the F-16.
Captain Meyer was then selected to become a US, Air Force Aggressor Pilot. He attended the Air Force Adversary Tactics Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nevada, and remained at Nellis flying the F-5E and F-16. He was an Air Force Briefer on Soviet Fighter Tactics and served as Red Air Commander during Red Flag Exercises.
Captain Meyer has accumulated more than 2,000 flight hours including 1,000 hours in the F- 1 6.
"MERGE"
Bill Langdon, from Phoenix, Arizona, graduated from Arizona State University with a BS in Aerospace Engineering and received his masters degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He was commissioned through the ROTC program and received his wings in 1982 at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, as a Distinguished Graduate.
After pilot training, he attended F-16 training at MacDill AFB, Florida, where he was again cited as a Distinguished Graduate. He then completed operational tours in the F-16 Torrejon, AB, Spain, and Homestead, AFB, Florida. Captain Langdon was next selected to attend the prestigious USAF Test Pilot School where he had the opportunity to fly over 43 different military aircraft. He was a project officer on heads-up displays for next generation aircraft as well as the advanced helmet-mounted weapons display technology. In addition he was chosen to be Chuck Yeager's personal instructor when Gen. Yeager flew, at Edwards AFB, California.
Capt. Langdon has accumulated over 3,500 hours off flight time, including 1,900 hours in the F-16.
"HOSS"
Rob Ramey, from Kearney, Nebraska, graduated from North Texas University with a BS in business Administration and was commissioned into the Air Force through the ROTC program in 1985. Upon commissioning he attended undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB, Texas where he received the coveted Air Training Command Commander's Trophy as the top graduate. He was then assigned to MacDill AFB, Florida for F- 16 training,
Captain Ramey's first F-16 tour was at Torrejon AB, Spain, where he served as a weapon's officer, instructor pilot, and functional check pilot. Captain Ramey was then assigned to Homestead AFB, Florida, where he served as an instructor pilot, stan-eval check pilot and combat mission commander
Captain Ramey has over 1,500 flight hours including 1,100 hours in the F-16
"K-9"
Dave Karczcwski, from Tampa, Florida, graduated from the University of Florida with a BS in Engineering Sciences and was commissioned in the United States Air Force through the ROTC program.
Upon graduation in 1984, he was assigned to Williams AFB, Arizona to complete pilot training. He was then assigned to MacDill AFB, Florida, for F-16 training and was cited as a Distinguished Graduate. His operational assignments include Torrejon AB, Spain and Hill AFB, Utah.
While stationed at Hill, he and his squadron flew in The Gulf War during Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM. He flew 25 combat missions over Iraq, receiving three Air Medals. After returning from the war, he spent two years as an F-16 instructor at MacDill AFB, FL.
Captain Karczewski has accumulated more than 2,000 flight hours with over 1,600 hours in the F- 16.
All flight instructors at Fighter Pilots USA are Fighter Pilots and have completed the rigors of military flight training with honors. Each pilot receives thorough ground school and flight training before he is assigned to the squadron. The training syllabus is under the supervision of the Chief Pilot and Director of Flight Operations.
All pilots hold current FAA pilot certificates, which are available for review at any time. All pilot qualifications exceed the strict FAA requirements to conduct commercial flight operations in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulations.
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