Cmdr. Leslie Mintz participated in the first ever all-female flyover Feb. 2 in Maynardville, Tennessee. Officially referred to as a “Missing Man Flyover,” the tribute was part of the funeral service for retired Navy Captain Rosemary Mariner, who passed away on Jan. 24 following a long fight with cancer.
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| Mintz, Third From Left, Bottom Row |
“I chose naval aviation because I wanted to serve amongst the finest women and men in the fleet,” Mintz said. “The opportunity to fly jet airplanes was a life-long dream and I knew early on that I wanted to fly in the most demanding and challenging environments. I’ve had the opportunity to fly and serve with the most incredible Naval Aviators, and I am proud to stand on the shoulders of the giants that have come before me.”
Mintz graduated from the University of Virginia in 2000 with a B.S. in Systems Engineering. She earned her wings of gold in 2002 and reported to NAS Lemoore, CA to train at VFA-122 in the F/A-18F Super hornet. She has over 2800 flight hours and is the recipient of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards) and various campaign and unit medals.
After completing flight training in 1974, Mariner was designated a naval aviator and received her Wings of Gold to become the Navy’s first female jet pilot, flying the A-4E/L “Skyhawk” and the A-7E “Corsair II”. She also was the first female military aviator to achieve command of an operational air squadron. During Operation Desert Storm, Mariner commanded Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Thirty-Four (VAQ-34). In 1982, she reached yet another milestone by being among the first females to serve aboard a U.S. Navy warship, USS Lexington, and qualifying as a Surface Warfare Officer.
Mariner retired from the U.S. Navy in 1997 after obtaining the rank of Captain and logging seventeen carrier arrested landings, or “traps,” and completing over 3,500 flight hours in fifteen different aircraft.
The Missing Man Flyover is a special tribute honoring the service of aviators who have died serving their country. The maneuver features four aircraft flying above the funeral service in formation as one of the aircraft leaves the formation and climbs vertically into the heavens.
All of the aviators who participated in the flyover are from squadrons based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana flying F/A-18E/F “Super Hornets.”
Mintz graduated from the University of Virginia in 2000 with a B.S. in Systems Engineering. She earned her wings of gold in 2002 and reported to NAS Lemoore, CA to train at VFA-122 in the F/A-18F Super hornet. She has over 2800 flight hours and is the recipient of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards) and various campaign and unit medals.
After completing flight training in 1974, Mariner was designated a naval aviator and received her Wings of Gold to become the Navy’s first female jet pilot, flying the A-4E/L “Skyhawk” and the A-7E “Corsair II”. She also was the first female military aviator to achieve command of an operational air squadron. During Operation Desert Storm, Mariner commanded Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Thirty-Four (VAQ-34). In 1982, she reached yet another milestone by being among the first females to serve aboard a U.S. Navy warship, USS Lexington, and qualifying as a Surface Warfare Officer.
Mariner retired from the U.S. Navy in 1997 after obtaining the rank of Captain and logging seventeen carrier arrested landings, or “traps,” and completing over 3,500 flight hours in fifteen different aircraft.
The Missing Man Flyover is a special tribute honoring the service of aviators who have died serving their country. The maneuver features four aircraft flying above the funeral service in formation as one of the aircraft leaves the formation and climbs vertically into the heavens.
All of the aviators who participated in the flyover are from squadrons based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana flying F/A-18E/F “Super Hornets.”