Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Soldier's journey from refugee to pilot goes full circle By Sgt. Jaccob Hearn,
                131st Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
 FARKE AIRFIELD, Albania – If there is someone who knows about hard work and determination, it's 2nd Lt. Valdeta Mehanja, a pilot with the 1-131st Aviation Regiment. Mehanja is an Albanian native born in Kosovo and a U.S. citizen; she never thought she would get to see Albania. "I have never visited Albania before. It's an incredible feeling to be here, as a pilot, in uniform and in the U.S. military," she said. "I would have never gotten this opportunity to fly around Albania if it wasn't for the military. To be able to experience this just made me so happy." Mehanja says this mission feels like "completing a circle." She grew up poor and her family became refugees of war, leaving behind what little they owned to survive violent conflict. Years later, as a contractor for the Department of Defense, her convoy traveling to Bagdad was ambushed by improvised explosive devices and gunfire. "I thought that was it," she said in an interview. However, she was saved by American pilots, and she knew that was what she wanted to do. "It made me want to join aviation. I knew I had a bigger mission. I couldn't just be a regular person and not give back." Since then, Mehanja has achieved that goal and become a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot for the U.S. Army. She felt the circle would soon be complete when she heard the 1-131st was going to Albania to participate in DEFENDER-Europe 21 (Defender 21). "I was so excited. I couldn't believe that the Guard unit I joined was going to Albania," she said. "I didn't realize how beautiful this country really is until I got to fly around the mountains. I don't think I could have visited Albania in a better way." Mehanja feels strongly about Defender 21, which is her first mission flying outside the U.S. "Defender 21 is a sign of alliance," she said. "Even during a pandemic, we are able to show how we can quickly move to another county and work with other militaries and build partnerships." Since arriving in Albania, Mehanja has flown missions and served as an interpreter and cultural adviser to the Americans and Albanians working together. She says she has been happy to take on the extra tasks. "If we work together, we will be stronger together," she explained. "I think keeping that partnership and continuing missions and training together will open up a whole other window to experience other cultures." Outside these duties, Mehanja has become somewhat of a local celebrity. She's met with hundreds of locals, been interviewed by numerous news sources, met U.S. Ambassador Yuri Kim, and shook hands with Albanian President Ilir Meta. "It meant so much that they're acknowledging how difficult my journey was and that they're proud I'm here and working together with them," she said. "It was a very special moment for me, and I'll never forget it. I'll cherish it for the rest of my life." Mehanja said her family is incredibly proud of her and shocked at how things turned out in Albania. "It is a huge deal," she exclaimed, "I don't think my mom, who was not allowed to go to school, would have ever thought that her daughter would be shaking hands with an Albanian president. My family is just so proud that I was able to come here as a U.S. military pilot and work with the Albanians and that I get to help." Despite all of this, she remains humble and hopes her story can inspire others and help build friendships between her nations. "Anything is possible if you work hard for it. Just when you think you can't accomplish something because the journey is too tough, that doesn't mean it's impossible and that it'll never happen," she said. "I was able to do this despite the odd against me. Anyone can do it, too. I'm hoping everyone will be inspired to succeed in their goals." Mehanja doesn't believe she would be as successful without the 1-131st Aviation Regiment and the Alabama National Guard. "I seriously have the best unit. I have the best commander. I have been so incredibly lucky. They have allowed me to have this experience, to be a part of this. It was God's work and everyone here that made this possible, and I want to thank them."
 SHARE
 PRINT
  Alabama National Guard
 Albania
 Kosovo
 1-131st Aviation Regiment
 DEFENDER-Europe 21
 
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise
 By Master Sgt. Caila Arahood and Senior Airman Victoria Coursey,
  Washington Army Guard to get new Firefighting Unit
 By Joseph Siemandel,
  National Guard Fights Louisiana Wildfires From the Air
 By Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office
  More
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course Guard News • 1 hour ago
 38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise Guard News • 9 hours ago
 Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska Guard News • 9 hours ago
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (196)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil