By Staff
Special to The Star
June 14, 2002
There will be a Naval aviator designation ceremony today, at 3:30 p.m., in the chapel at Naval Air Station Meridian.
The Naval aviator designation ceremony is not required by regulations, but has emerged as a U.S. Navy tradition. It marks the culmination of nearly two years of specialized training, which has prepared these officers for the aerial combat and carrier operations earning each the title of "Naval aviator" and the right to wear the coveted "Wings of Gold."
The guest speaker will be Capt. Mark Needler, commander of Training Air Wing 1 at NAS Meridian.
Eleven U.S. Navy and Marine Corps pilots, one French pilot and one Italian pilot will get their wings.
The class carrier-qualified May 12-13 in the T-45C "Goshawk" on board the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and earned Navy "E for Excellence" designations for bombing accuracy during Advanced Strike Training.
1st. Lt. Richard Allain, USMC, who earned two Navy "E" designations and was named "Best on the Boat";
1st Lt. Kevin Campbell, USMC, who earned two Navy "E" designations;
Lt. j.g. David Davis, USNR, who earned one Navy "E" designation;
1st Lt. Jeree Devisser, USMC, who earned three Navy "E" designations;
Lt. j.g. Jonas Downing, USNR, who earned one Navy "E" designation;
Lt. j.g. Joshua Fibey, USNR, who was named to the Commodore's List during Primary Flight Training and earned one Navy "E" designation;
Ensign Christopher Hemery, French Navy, who earned two Navy "E" designations;
Lt. j.g. Bradley Loftis, USNR, who was a Navy SEAL for 11 years, attached to SEAL Team 2 and SEAL Team 4 at Little Creek, Va., and to Special Operations Command, Atlantic Command, in Norfolk, Va. He was named to the Commodore's List during Primary Flight Training and earned two Navy "E" designations;
Lt. j.g. Michael Manicchia, USNR, who was named to the Commodore's List and designated a Distinguished Graduate during Primary Flight Training. He was also named to the Commodore's List during Intermediate Flight Training and was VT-9's Student of the Month for July 2001. He earned three Navy "E" designations;
Lt. j.g. Ivan Pagliara, Italian navy;
Capt. Gary Roesti, USMC, who, prior to commencing jet flight training, was an infantry officer. He served as platoon commander, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment; executive officer, Alpha Company, Infantry Training Battalion; and commanding officer, Hotel Company Marine Combat Training Battalion at Camp LeJeune, N.C. He earned one Navy "E" designation;
Lt. j.g. Barrett Smith, USNR, who was named to the Commodore's List during Primary Flight Training and earned one Navy "E" designation; and
Lt. j.g. Nathaniel Spurr, who earned four Navy "E" designations.