There will be a Naval aviator designation ceremony today at 1 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. Ted N. Branch, commanding officer of the USS Nimitz (CVN-68).

The class carrier-qualified in the T-45C “Goshawk” on June 17 on board the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), and on July 18 on board the USS George Washington (CVN-73), and earned Navy “E for Excellence” designations for bombing accuracy during Advanced Strike Training.

Seven U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators will receive wings of gold:



• 1st Lt. Edward Fienning, USMCR, who earned five Navy “E’s” and completed Advanced Strike Training with Training Squadron 9;

• Lt. j.g. Jeffry Findlay, USNR, who served as a Naval air crewman and search and rescue swimmer attached to HSL-43 in San Diego, Calif., before commencing jet flight training. He was named to the Commodore’s List during Primary Flight Training. Findlay earned four Navy “E’s” and completed Advanced Strike Training with Training Squadron 9;

• Lt. j.g. Reed Foster, USNR, who was named to the Commodore’s List during Primary Flight Training. He earned four Navy “E’s” and completed Advanced Strike Training with Training Squadron 9;

• 1st Lt. Jeffrey Horton, USMCR, who earned two Navy “E’s” and completed Advanced Strike Training with Training Squadron 9;

• Lt. j.g. Patrick Martin, USNR, who was named to the Commodore’s List during Primary Flight Training. He earned two Navy “E’s” and completed Advanced Strike Training with Training Squadron 9;

• Lt. j.g. Christopher Warrick, USNR, who earned the Academic Achievement Award during Primary Flight Training. He earned five Navy “E’s” and completed Advanced Strike Training with Training Squadron 9; and

• 1st Lt. Anthony Wlotko, USMCR, who earned one Navy “E” and completed Advanced Strike Training with Training Squadron 9.