DCAG
Capt. Leslie "Meat" Mintz

Capt. Mintz was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She received a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from the University of Virginia and her commission from ROTC in May 2000. In 2011, she received a Master of Arts in International Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School and is a 2022 fellow of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI.
 
Mintz attended naval flight officer training in Pensacola, Florida, and graduated with distinction receiving her “Wings of Gold” in February 2002. After advanced training at Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122 in Lemoore, California, she was qualified as an F/A-18F Super Hornet weapon systems officer. In November 2002, she reported to the “Diamondbacks” of VFA-102 in Lemoore, California. The squadron conducted a homeport change to Atsugi, Japan, and she deployed four times onboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR).  She held billets of schedules officer, line division officer, and personnel officer, and qualified as a Forward Air Controller Airborne (FAC(A)), a NATOPS instructor, and a level four tactics instructor.
 
In January 2006, she reported to Fallon, Nevada, completing Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and becoming a strike fighter tactics instructor. After graduating TOPGUN, she reported to Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic (SFWSLANT) in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for duties as a strike fighter tactics instructor.  During this tour, she served as the FAC(A) program manager, overseeing and conducting the FAC(A) training for all East Coast F/A-18F squadrons.
 
In March 2008, Mintz then reported to the “Blacklions” of VFA-213 as the training officer. During this tour, she deployed onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and was awarded the Navy League Squadron Weapons Systems Officer of the Year Award. After VFA-213, she reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and received her Master of Arts in International Security Studies. Additionally, she completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase One, graduating with distinction.
 
Mintz then reported to the “Bounty Hunters” of VFA-2. During this tour, she deployed onboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While in VFA-2, the squadron earned the “Battle E” and she was qualified as command duty officer (underway). While assigned to VFA-2, she served as administrative officer, quality assurance officer, and maintenance officer. In January 2014, she reported to the J3 Operations Directorate on the Joint Staff in Washington D.C. and subsequently served as a nuclear command and control presidential strike advisor at the National Military Command Center.  In May 2018, she joined the “Blacklions” of VFA-213 as the executive officer and assumed command in November 2019. Following a successful command tour, she assumed the duties as the deputy executive assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations in May of 2021 and completed the tour in December 2022. She is currently the prospective deputy commander Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1.
 
Mintz has over 3200 flight hours and is the recipient of the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, 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.