Mendez to take over for Hiscock at VR-58

Mendez is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) in 1990. He was selected for pilot training and completed Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola later that year. He continued his flight training in Milton, Fla. and Corpus Christi, Texas, then returned to Pensacola to complete carrier qualifications before becoming designated a naval aviator Feb. 12, 1993. Upon completion of E-2C/C-2 FRS training at VAW-120 in Norfolk, Va., Mendez reported to the "Rawhides" of VRC-40 for duty flying the Grumman C-2A Greyhound. Mendez successfully completed Mediterranean/Western Pacific deployments on board USS America (CV-66) and USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and quickly became qualified as a carrier transport aircraft commander logging more than 1,700 hours in the C-2A. His assignments included personnel officer, aircraft division officer, quality assurance officer, operations officer and NATOPS officer.

Following his tour at VRC-40, Mendez was selected for the Training and Administration of Reserves program and reported to Commander, Fleet Logistics Support Wing at NAS Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas.

While serving as administration officer for the Navy's largest air wing, he oversaw the administrative needs of 14 VR squadrons and became qualified as a transport aircraft commander in the C-9B/DC-9 Skytrain.

Cmdr. Bill Hiscock

In July 1999, Mendez transferred to NAS Jacks-onville to join VR-58 where he served as reserve pay officer, assistant operations officer and became fully qualified as an international over water aircraft commander completing a myriad of detachments all over the world.

When VR-58 was selected to transition for the C-40A (B737), Mendez was handpicked to lead the transition as the squadron's NATOPS officer and senior NATOPS instructor pilot, becoming the first Sunseeker to become fully qualified as a C-40A international over water aircraft commander.

Mendez then served as VR-58's maintenance officer and operation's officer leading to his screening for command of VR-58. Mendez is currently a Gulfstream IV pilot with NetJets International, Inc.

Mendez has flown more than 4,400 hours in Navy aircraft and has more than 150 carrier landings.

During Hiscock's tenure as VR-58 commanding officer, he led the Sunseekers to numerous awards including the 2006 Noel E Davis "Battle "E" Award, the 2006 James M. Holcombe Award for Maintenance Excellence, the 2006 CNO Safety "S" Award and the 2006 CFLSW Wing Retention Excellence Award.

Hiscock's next assignment will be as the Navy emergency plans and liaison officer for the U.S. Virgin Islands.