Commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1
Capt. Leslie Mintz
Capt. Leslie Mintz was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Virginia in Systems Engineering 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.
Captain 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 VFA-122 in Lemoore, California, she was qualified as an F/A-18F Super Hornet Weapon Systems Officer (WSO). 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 C7F 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 TOPGUN and becoming a Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor (SFTI). After graduating TOPGUN, she reported to Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic (SFWSLANT) in Virginia Beach, Virginia for duties as a SFTI 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, Capt. 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 Masters of Arts in International Security Studies. Additionally, she completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase One, graduating with distinction.
Capt. 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 CDO (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 & Control Presidential Strike Advisor at the National Military Command Center. In May 2018, she joined the “Blacklions” as the executive officer, and assumed command of VFA-213 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. Capt. Mintz reported to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) One as deputy commander in June 2023, and assumed command in November 2024 while deployed onboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).
Capt. 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.