A 1994 Naval Academy graduate, Cmdr. Elizabeth “Spike” Malecha, a naval flight officer, became the first woman to graduate from the TOPGUN Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program (2001); the first woman to serve as an instructor at the Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic and Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific; and the first woman to serve as an F-14 training officer when she reported to VF-103 (2004) and subsequently deployed aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). Malecha served on active duty until 2006 and then transitioned to the Navy Reserve in 2009. She is currently assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet (2023).

Last Updated: 29 March 2023