By Staff
special to The Star
July 25, 2003
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. Daniel Ouimette, commander of Training Air Wing 1.
The class carrier-qualified July 17-18 in the T-2C "Buckeye" and the T-45C "Goshawk" on board the USS Harry Truman (CVN-75) and on May 15 in the T-45C on board the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). Pilots also earned Navy "E for Excellence" designations for bombing accuracy during Advanced Strike Training.
Navy and Marine Corps aviators receiving their wings today include:
Lt. j.g. Adam Heil, USNR;
Lt. j.g. Ernest Lietzan IV, USNR;
Lt. j.g. Jared Loller, USNR;
1st Lt. Scott Montgomery, USMCR, who was named to the Commodore's List with distinction during Primary and Intermediate Flight Training. He was named VT-9's Student of the Month for May 2002 during intermediate flight training. He received the ACM "Top Gun" Award and earned three Navy "E's" for bombing accuracy during advanced strike training;
Lt. j.g. James Mueller, USNR, who, during primary flight training was named to the Commodore's List and was the recipient of the CNATRA Award. He earned one Navy "E" for bombing accuracy during advanced strike training;
Lt. j.g. Robert Perez, USNR, who he was awarded the ACM "Top Gun" Award and earned three Navy "E's" for bombing accuracy during advanced strike training;
Ensign Matthew Picinich, USNR;
Lt. Eric Shafer, USN, who was named to the Commodore's List during primary, intermediate and advanced flight training. Prior to entering flight training, he attended Nuclear Power School as an enlisted sailor. He then earned his commission and went on to become a naval flight officer, flying the F-14 "Tomcat" with VF-143. Shafer was named "Top Hook" for his carrier qualification evaluation
Lt. j.g. Ahren Thornton, USNR;
Ensign Steven Wagner, USNR; and
Lt. j.g. Stephen Yenias, USNR.