Miss Alexis Noel Salvanera

Captain Alexis Noel Salvanera, age 31, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center following a traumatic brain injury. She left this world surrounded by the love of her mother and father, her cousin, and many devoted members of her Army family.

A Life of Passion and Excellence

Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Alexis was the eldest of four siblings. Her family later moved to Georgia, where she discovered lifelong passions for gymnastics and horses. Her natural talent and fierce competitive spirit quickly led to numerous local, state, and regional accolades. Alexis was also an accomplished competitive shotgun shooter, excelling at the state and regional levels in the sport of Trap.

Alexis held a deep commitment to her community and country from a young age. Throughout high school, she actively participated in Girls State, TeenPact, and 4-H. A gifted speaker, she won several Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Voice of Democracy competitions. She also gave back to her local community by serving faithfully on the Tech Team at Dogwood Church in Tyrone, Georgia.

Military Career and Aviation Leadership

Driven by a desire to serve, Alexis enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school graduation. She entered the University of North Georgia (UNG) as a member of the Corps of Cadets (Boars Head Brigade). She excelled during the challenging initial cadet indoctrination (FROG Week), earning the honor of Foxtrot Company’s Shield Bearer.

In January 2013, Alexis reported to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, for Basic Combat Training. She completed Advanced Individual Training as a Military Policeman, graduating as the platoon honor graduate. Returning to UNG, she competed on the Ranger Challenge team and was later awarded "The Bold Leader Warrior Spirit Award" during Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox in June 2015.

Alexis graduated from UNG and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Georgia Army National Guard (Aviation) in May 2016. She began flight training at Fort Rucker in April 2017, completing her first solo flight that September. In January 2018, she was selected for the CH-47 Chinook flight program. She earned her wings as a designated Army Aviator in June 2018.

She was assigned to Detachment 1, B Company, 1-169th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) in Savannah, Georgia, deploying to Kuwait and Iraq for Operation Inherent Resolve from October 2018 to May 2019. In December 2019, then First Lieutenant Salvanera proudly assumed command of Detachment 1. Simultaneously, she served as the Logistics Maintenance Officer for Army Aviation Support Facility #3, managing critical maintenance for Chinook and Blackhawk units. Alexis was promoted to the rank of Captain in June 2020 and remained in command of Detachment 1 until October 2022.

In July 2023, Alexis transferred to the Missouri Army National Guard. She served as the Quality Control Supervisor for the Missouri Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot (AVCRAD), providing vital aviation support across a 14-state region. She returned to Fort Rucker to complete the Maintenance Test Pilot (MTP) course, ultimately earning qualifications as both an MTP and a Pilot in Command.

In June 2025, Alexis transferred to active duty at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. In September 2025, she entered training with the prestigious 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night Stalkers).

Alexis’ military education includes the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Level C – High Risk Course; U.S. Army Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) Course, CH-47F Aviator Qualification Course; Aviation Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC); Counterinsurgency (COIN) Course; Aviation Captains Career Course (CCC); Aviation Maintenance Officer Course (AMOC); CH-47 Maintenance Test Pilot Course; Officer Basic Skills Course; and Helicopter Dunker Qualification Course.

Alexis’ military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with “M” Device), Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Army Aviator Badge.

Alexis was an exceptionally skilled pilot, a dedicated soldier, and a leader who cared deeply for the well-being of her soldiers. She strove for perfection in every undertaking, leaving a lasting impact on everyone who met her.

Family and Legacy

Above all her professional accomplishments, Alexis was a devoted daughter, a fierce protector, and a great friend to her brother and sisters.

Alexis was preceded in death by Paternal Grandparents Rolando and Rufina Salvanera and Maternal Grandparents Wayne and Gail Bostic. She is survived by her parents Noel and Rebecca (Becky) Salvanera, her brother Christian Salvanera, sisters Danielle and Grace Salvanera, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, and her extended Army family.

Memorial Service and Final Honors

A regimental memorial service will be held on June 30th, 2026, at 1PM

Liberty Chapel

3111 Bastogne Avenue

Fort Campbell, KY 42223.

Funeral and burial services will be held on July 7th, 2026.

Funeral Services 11AM-12PM

Woodstock Funeral Home

8855 Main Street

Woodstock, GA 30188

Burial Services at 1PM

Georgia National Cemetery

1080 Scott Hudgens Drive

Canton, GA 30114