NAS Meridian holds winging' ceremony
By Staff
special to The Star
Dec. 20, 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 Cmdr. Charles Aley, commander of Training Squadron 9.
Four U.S. Navy pilots will receive wings of gold:
Lt. j.g. Benjamin Becker, USNR, who carrier qualified in the T-2C "Buckeye" on board the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) on Dec. 11, when he earned VT 9's "Top Hook" honors for his superior performance during carrier qualification;
Ensign Christopher Ferreira, USNR, who carrier qualified in the T-2C "Buckeye" on board the USS John F. Kennedy, (CV-67) on Dec. 11;
Ensign Lawrence Smith, USNR, who carrier qualified in the T-2C "Buckeye" on board the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) on Dec. 11; and
Ensign Brian Tollefson, USNR, who carrier qualified in the T-2C "Buckeye" on board the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) on Dec. 11.