By Staff
Special to the Star
Aug. 10, 2001
There will be a naval aviator designation ceremony today at 3 p.m. in the chapel at Naval Air Station Meridian.
The ceremony is not required by regulations, but has emerged as part of U.S. Navy tradition. It marks the culmination of nearly two years of specialized training, which has prepared these officers for the demands of 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. Nine U.S. Navy and Marine Corps pilots, three Brazilian navy pilots and one Brazilian Marine Corps pilot will receive wings of gold.
All the pilots carrier qualified in the T-45C "Goshawk":
1st Lt. Robert Allen of Westminster, Md.;
Lt. j.g. Eric Anderson of Eagle, Idaho;
1st Lt. Jeremy Demott of Peoria, Ill.;
Lt. j.g. John Desplinter of Annawan, Ill.;
Lt. Augusto Fonseca Jr. of Pensacola, Fla.;
Lt. Claudney DeGodoy of Sao Paulo, Brazil;
Lt. j.g. Brian Hall of Bedford, Ind.;
1st Lt. Kevin Harbour of Anaheim, Calif.;
Capt. Justin Knox of Hayward, Calif.;
Lt. j.g. Frederico Reynaud of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
1st Lt. Nathaniel Stusse of Cape Cod, Mass.;
1st Lt. Gregory Summa of Louisville, Ky.; and
Capt. Alexandre Tonini of Rio de Janeiro.