F-16 Pilots Database

Brill's first flight in the F-16 occurred at Hill AFB in November 1980, the same time as Initial Operational Capability was declared with the aircraft at that location. Since then, he has flown the F-16 continuously with the following units, in order: 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hill AFB; 474th Tactical Fighter Wing, Nellis AFB, Nevada; 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kunsan AB, Korea; 57th Fighter Weapons Wing, Nellis AFB; 388th Tactical Fighter Wing; and 419th Fighter Wing (since 1990).

Brill is continuing a tradition he began in 1993 when he was the first U.S. pilot to surpass 3,000 hours in the "Viper." Achieving 4,000 hours in the same fighter aircraft is a rare achievement, and Brill, a reservist for almost half of his time flying the F-16, has averaged 225 hours per year in his 17+ years flying the aircraft.

Brill's achievements in the F-16 include serving as an instructor pilot since 1984 and participating on three Gunsmoke teams (1985, 1987, 1993) and one William Tell team (1996). Gunsmoke and William Tell are the USAF's premier worldwide air-to-ground and air-to-air weapons competitions, respectively, and Brill has participated in more of these than any other pilot. His team won the Gunsmoke '87 competition and thus earned the title of "World Champions" for a two-year period.

2003: Lt. Col. Brill is now the commander of the 466th Fighter Squadron "Diamondbacks" at Hill AFB, Utah

2004: Lt. Col. Brill has been selected for the rank of colonel by the Air Reserve Personnel Center.