NAS Meridian holds winging' ceremony

By Staff
March 15, 2002
Nine U.S. pilots and six pilots from other countries will receive their wings of gold today in a naval aviation designation ceremony at NAS Meridian. The ceremony begins at 3:30 p.m. in the chapel.
A spokesman said the U.S. pilots come from the Navy and Marine Corps. They will be joined by three Italian navy pilots, two French navy pilots and one Spanish navy pilot.
The naval aviator designation ceremony is not prescribed specifically by U.S. Navy regulations, but has emerged as an honored product of the rich heritage of naval tradition. It marks the culmination of nearly two years of specialized training, which has prepared the officers for the rigorous demands of aerial combat and carrier operations, the spokesman said.
Guest speaker for the ceremony is Lee Archer Jr., the highest scoring Tuskegee Airman ACE during World War II. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Legion of Merit.
Pilot to receive their wings of gold include.
Lt. j.g. Robert Betts, USNR, who earned three Navy "E's" for bombing accuracy during Advanced Strike Training. He carrier qualified in the T-45C "Goshawk" on board the USS George Washington (CVN-73) on Feb. 10;
Ensign Daniele D'Auciello, Italian navy, who served as a naval officer on board the amphibious ship S. Giorgio prior to commencing flight training. During Advanced Strike Training, he earned one Navy "E" for bombing accuracy, and carrier qualified in the T-45C "Goshawk" on board the USS George Washington (CVN-73) on Feb. 9;
1st Lt. Ravi Dharnidharka, USMC, who was named to the Commodore's List during Primary Flight Training. He earned one Navy "E" for bombing accuracy during Advanced Strike Training, and he carrier qualified in the T-45C "Goshawk" on board the USS George Washington (CVN-73) on Feb. 9;
Lt. j.g. Brian Felloney, USNR, who was named to the
Commodore's List during Intermediate Flight Training. He earned two Navy "E's" for bombing accuracy during Advanced Strike Training, and carrier qualified in the T-45C "Goshawk" on board the USS George Washington (CVN-73) on Feb. 9;
1st Lt. Kelly Hinz, USMC, who was named to the Commodore's List during Primary Flight Training. He earned three Navy "E's" for bombing accuracy during Advanced Strike Training, and carrier qualified in the T-45C "Goshawk" on board the USS George Washington (CVN-73) on Feb. 10;
Lt. j.g. Nathan Johnson, USNR, who earned four Navy "E's" for bombing accuracy during Advanced Strike Training. He carrier qualified in the T-45C "Goshawk" on board the USS George Washington (CVN-73) on Feb. 10;
Ensign Pietro Morelli, Italian navy, who earned four Navy "E's" for bombing accuracy during Advanced Strike Training. He carrier qualified in the T-45C "Goshawk" on board the USS George Washington (CVN-73) on Feb. 8;
Ensign Albert Prebula III, USNR, who was named to the Commodore's List during Primary Flight Training. He earned two Navy "E's" for bombing accuracy during Advanced Strike Training, and carrier qualified in the T-45C "Goshawk" on board the USS George Washington (CVN-73) on Feb. 10;
Lt. j.g. Aaron Ramey, USNR, who earned three Navy "E's" for bombing accuracy during Advanced Strike Training. He carrier qualified in the T-45C "Goshawk" on board the USS George Washington (CVN-73) on Feb. 9; and,
Lt. j.g. David Reade, USN, who, prior to commencing flight training, served nine years of enlisted service as a nuclear reactor operator on board USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). He also served as an instructor at the Nuclear Power Training Unit, Ballston Spa, N.Y. During Advanced Strike Training, he earned five Navy "E's" for bombing accuracy, and carrier qualified in the T-45C "Goshawk" on board the USS George Washington (CVN-73) on Feb. 10.