By Staff
Special to The Star
Oct. 26, 2001
Eleven U.S. Navy and Marine Corps pilots are expected to receive "Wings of Gold" during a naval aviator designation ceremony today at Naval Air Station Meridian.
The 3:30 p.m. naval aviator designation ceremony is not prescribed specifically by Navy regulations. But it has emerged as an honored product of the rich heritage of naval tradition.
The ceremony marks the culmination of nearly two years of specialized training.
The training prepares officers for the rigorous demands of aerial combat and carrier operations earning them the title of "Naval Aviator" and the right to wear the coveted "Wings of Gold."
The guest speaker at the ceremony will be Capt. Frank Sweigart, director of installations and logistics on the staff of the chief of naval education and training at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola.
Those who qualified in the T-45C "Goshawk" include: Lt. David Bassett of Pensacola; Lt. j.g. Gordon Faulkner of Louisville, Ky.; Capt. Joseph Linggi of Tacoma, Wash.; 1st Lt. Michael Murphy of Valparaiso, Ind.; Lt. j.g. Michael Niccoli of Denver, Colo.; Lt. j.g. Jason Pattison of Bountiful, Utah; Lt. j.g. Peter Quinn of Philadelphia, Pa.; and Lt. j.g. Jacob Staub of Addison, Ill.
Those who qualified in the T-2C "Buckeye" include: Ensign Michael Brooker of Albuquerque; Ensign Brian Judy of Yorktown, Va.; and Ensign Aaron Rybar of Seattle.