Shelly “Gringa” Mendieta began her journey of service in Air Force ROTC at the University of Texas. Her goal was to earn her commission and become a flight surgeon, but when the opportunity to fly fighter aircraft opened to women, her objective shifted on this new challenge.

 

Gringa graduated Joint Undergraduate Navigator Training at Naval Air Station Pensacola where she flew the T-23, T-1 and T-39. As a Weapons Systems Officer in the F-15E, she was assigned to the 335th Fighter Squadron and deployed to Operation Southern Watch and twice to Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, supporting both Special Operations Forces and precision strikes.

 

As an instructor in both the F-15E and basic navigator training, her biggest reward was mentoring young officers, not only in how to expertly employ their weapons system, but also in service, leadership, and followership. After serving as the Director of Operations for the 389th Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Gringa commanded the 455th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. She led 122 personnel, across 2 bases, supporting 7 other squadrons and 340,000 missions at the Department of Defense’s busiest combat logistics hub.

While she still loves to fly, service is at the heart of her choices and challenges. She finds her strength and balance in her friends, family, and husband, whom she enjoys traveling and hiking with.