2009 19th Air Force Instructor Pilot of the year

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jefferson Thompson
  • 173rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
March 6, 2010 --  KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -- One of the 173rd Fighter Wing's own was named 19th Air Force 2009 Air-to-Air Fighter Pilot Instructor of the Year.

Maj. Anthony "Too Tall" Dicarlo, an F-15 instructor pilot with the 114th Fighter Squadron, earned the award for his exemplary performance last year.

"Major Dicarlo's stellar performance and dedication to producing the finest F-15 pilots in the world are just some of the traits that help make the 114th Fighter Squadron and the 173rd Fighter Wing, world class organizations," Col. Jim Miller, 173rd FW Commander, said. "Heartfelt congratulations to "Too Tall" and to all those who work hard every day to make Kingsley the finest unit in the Air Force!"

Dicarlo credits the organization for the honor.

"This award really reflects the quality of our entire instructor pilot cadre. Last year another Kingsley Instructor Pilot, Maj. Jeffrey "Thug" Edwards was recognized, so this award is a repeat for the 173rd Fighter Wing," Dicarlo said.

Dicarlo arrived at the base in 2005 after leaving active duty at Kadena Air Base, Japan.

"Being an F-15 Instructor Pilot is an absolute privilege," he said. "I love the daily challenges that an Eagle driver must tackle to personalize the training needed to graduate a quality wingman for the Combat Air Forces. Kinglsey Field has a long history of doing just that and I am proud to serve as one of the IPs in the wing."

Previously he participated in an exchange pilot program with the German Air Force at Holloman AFB, N.M, flying the F-4.

Dicarlo has logged more than 2,600 hours of flying, including 500 hours in the F-4.