Alumni Spotlight – Brian McCarthy ‘89

“The freedom to choose your own path,” was what Brian McCarthy, a proud member of the class of 1989, remembered most about his days at Susquehannock. “There were as many opportunities there as you were willing to risk taking advantage of.” And risk-taking was never a problem for Brian – then or now. His current assignment, a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Air Force commanding a battle-ready F-15E fighter squadron, is testimony to that fact.

His Susquehannock career was diverse. He ran cross country and lettered in track, listing pole vault, sprints, and sprint relays as his specialties.  He was a member of class council and served as student photographer for the yearbook.  Brian was an excellent science student and took every science course the school had to offer, earning consistent honor roll status. For his academic performance and citizenship he was named to the National Honor Society. He remembers teachers Ken Alwine, Ron Leese, and Roberta Thoman as having a strong influence on his academic success, serving as an inspiration to him in later years.

After graduating from SHS in 1989, he attended Virginia Tech University. He originally enrolled as a physics major (a five-year program), but, anxious to accept a commission in the Air Force, he switched to political science so he could graduate in four years.

He graduated from Virginia Tech as an ROTC distinguished graduate in 1993 and then began a military career that included a mix of operational and staff tours both in command and control and in flying F-15 fighters. As a ground based air weapons director he participated in the counter narcotics operation Support Justice in South America. As a NATO E-3A crew member he participated in operation Deliberate Guard over Bosnia and operation Silver Wake over Albania.  He then attended pilot training and earned a coveted assignment flying the F-15E Strike Eagle.  Prior to his assignment as an instructor pilot at the F-15E formal training unit he participated in operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom as an operational F-15E fighter pilot.  He has been chosen for the Air Force’s international affairs specialist program and he attended the Australian Command and Staff College.  He now commands the 391^st Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.  In his role as commander he leads 85 airmen utilizing 29 F-15E aircraft to deploy worldwide in support of national security objectives.

Throughout these tours, he continued his education by attending the USAF’s Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, the Australian Air Command and Staff College, and the Air War College. He earned a Master’s degree in aeronautical science from Embry Riddle University in 2006.

Currently rated as a Senior Pilot, his award resume includes the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal,
Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Royal Australian Air Force Sir Richard Williams Prize.

Brian is married to his college sweetheart Heidy.  They have three children Liam (nine), Amelia (seven), and Jack (three).

Even with his many deployments, he tries to return to the Southern York County area where his family remains, including his sister Beth (SHS Class of 1985) and his parents. He observes that, among his colleagues in the typically transient Air Force fraternity, he is one of only a few who can say they were resident in one school district from Kindergarten (at Friendship) to his SHS graduation. “I look back now and really appreciate that stability,” he says.

Thanks to Lt. Colonel Brian McCarthy, Class of 1989, for making us Warrior Proud.