By Staff
special to The Star
June 18, 2004
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.
Eight U.S. Navy and Marine Corps and two Italian navy aviators will get their wings.
The class carrier-qualified April 17-20, and May 24, in the T-45C "Goshawk" on board the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and earned Navy "E for Excellence" designations for bombing accuracy during Advanced Strike Training.
Lt. j.g. Daniel Bornemann, USNR, who earned three Navy "E's";
Ensign Daniele Calvi, Italian navy, who was named to the Commodore's List with Distinction during Primary Flight Training;
Ensign Fabio Favero, Italian navy, who was named to the Commodore's List during Primary Flight Training. He earned three Navy "E's";
Lt. j.g. Brian Hasse, USNR, who earned one Navy "E";
Lt. j.g. Luke Johnson, USNR, who was named to the Commodore's List during Primary Flight Training. He was VT-9's Student of the Month for January 2004 and earned five Navy "E's";
Lt. j.g. Nathan Lyon, USNR, who was named to the Commodore's List during Primary Flight Training. He was VT-9's Student of the Month for December 2003 and earned three Navy "E's";
Lt. Brian Pedrotty, USNR, who, prior to entering flight training, flew the EP-3 as a senior tactical evaluator and mission commander for Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 1 based at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Wash.;
Lt. j.g. Daniel Radocaj, USNR, who was named to the Commodore's List during Primary Flight Training and earned one Navy "E";
Lt. j.g. Brock Stefura, USNR; and
1st Lt. Gregory York, USMCR, who, prior to entering flight training, was a former enlisted sergeant and infantry battalion radio operator. He earned three Navy "E's."