The youngest daughter of Ramon and Teody Catuncan, Monessa graduated valedictorian from Mesquite High School, Texas in 2000. In the same year, she was accepted to the United States Air Force Academy or USAFA, Colorado Springs. While there, she held various positions such as Squadron Commander, Glider Instructor Pilot, Division-1 tennis player, and member of the Glider Acrobatic Team. She graduated in 2004 with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering.
Subsequently, Monessa underwent the Undergraduate Pilot Training or UPT, then went on to pilot a T-6 Texan at the Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia. She finished the course among the top in her class, and when time came to determine whether she would fly a fighter/bomber aircraft or a cargo/fueling aircraft, she was chosen to handle the former.
At Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas and Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, she flew a T-38 and learned the basics of formation flying, offensive and defensive fighter maneuvering, and surface attack bombing techniques. After her training, she was granted her request to fly an F-16 Falcon.
She went through further training at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Arizona, and she passed the course with flying colors. She was one of the “Lucky Number 13” graduates of class 2007. Monessa was the only woman to pass the prized pilot course.
Recently titled Captain, Monessa is currently assigned to the 34th Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base in Salt Lake City, Utah. Along with her squadron, she just returned from Iraq where they served the Army Troops though a variety of close air support missions. One can easily tell that this dedicated young woman is destined to fly high.
