Please join us starting at 1 pm to hear the amazing story of Captain Nicholas “Mongo” Mongillo’s dogfight over the skies of Iraq during the opening day of Operation Desert Storm while serving on the USS Saratoga (CV-60).
Captain Mongillo was flying the F/A-18C that is now on display at the USS Hornet Museum during this dogfight. He will share his experiences in the aircraft and during his historic dogfight with the audience and answer any questions you have!
Captain Mongillo’s Bio:
CAPT Nicholas Mongillo was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and grew up in Stratford, Connecticut. He was commissioned via Aviation Officer Candidate School in June of 1986. Mongillo served as a student pilot earning his “Wings of Gold” in Nov 1987. He then reported to the “Frogs” of Training Squadron 19 at NAS Meridian, Mississippi for assignment as a T-2C Buckeye Flight Instructor under the Selectively Retained Graduate (SERGRAD) program.
In December 1989 he reported to the “Gladiators” of Strike Fighter Squadron 106, Jacksonville, Florida, for initial FA-18 Hornet training. He was then assigned to the “Sunliners” of Strike Fighter Squadron 81. While assigned there, he deployed twice with Carrier Air Wing 17 onboard the USS Saratoga (CV 60) and participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During Desert Storm, he downed an Iraqi MiG-21 during his first of 25 combat missions, earning a Silver Star Medal.
In March 1993 he reported to the “Blackbirds” of Fighter Squadron 45 as an Adversary Instructor in Key West, Florida before reporting back to the “Gladiators” as a FA-18 instructor. During his Gladiator tour he earned the 1996 Flight Instructor of the Year Award. Following his instructor duty, he reported to the “Marauders” of Strike Fighter Squadron 82, and deployed with Carrier Air Wing 1 onboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) in support of Operation Southern Watch. During his Marauder tour, Mongillo earned the Commanding Officer’s Junior Officer Leadership Award.
In August 2000, Mongillo reported to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, Fallon, Nevada and served as the TOPGUN Executive Officer and a Tactics Instructor. In February 2004 he reported to the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron 22, Lemoore, California, as the Executive Officer. In 2005, he assumed command of the “Fighting Redcocks” and deployed with Carrier Air Wing 14 onboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his commanding officer tour, Mongillo earned the 2006 Navy and Marine Association Commander Leadership Award.
Mongillo was then assigned to United States Northern Command located in Colorado Springs, CO where he served as a Deputy Command Center Director. From June 2010 to July 2013, he served as the Installation Commander and Range Commander for the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii.
CAPT Mongillo has received the Silver Star Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, four Strike Air Medals with Combat V, three Navy Commendation Medals two with Combat V, the Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards. He has accumulated over 5500 flight hours and nearly 700 arrested landings.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Western Connecticut State University. In 2000, he graduated with distinction from the Naval War College, earning a Masters of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies and was the recipient of the James D. Forrestal Award for excellence in Strategy and Force Planning. He retired from the US Navy on 01 Nov 2013, completing nearly 28 years of service.
